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Ketamine for Suicidal Patients in the Emergency Department

This study is looking at whether a low dose of intravenous (IV) ketamine is safe and practical for people who come to the emergency department (ED) with suicidal thoughts. Currently, there isn't a quick medication available in the ED for this urgent situation. Researchers want to see if giving 0.2mg/kg of ketamine through an IV can help reduce suicidal thoughts and depression symptoms. You might be able to join if you are between 18 and 65 years old, are actively suicidal, need to be admitted to a hospital for psychiatric care, and have a normal Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), which measures your level of consciousness. The study will also look at how ED staff feel about using ketamine for this purpose. The study status is currently unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study with a planned enrollment of 50 participants. It will assess the safety and feasibility of ketamine in the emergency department.
What's involved
You would receive a single dose of IV ketamine and be observed in the ED for two hours. You would also complete surveys at 0, 2, 24, and 72 hours to assess your symptoms.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your symptoms will be assessed at 24 hours and 72 hours after receiving ketamine.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06085937

Feasibility and Safety of Ketamine for Suicidal Patients in the Emergency Department

Recruiting
PHASE1Ages 18–65InterventionalTreatment
Lindsay Maguire, MD
~50 participants
Updated 2026-04-15 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Ketamine

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events [Safety and Tolerability]
Measured over 2 hours
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Suicide
Suicidal Ideation
Depression

Explore related trials

DepressionSuicidal IdeationSuicide

Where it's being run

2 sites across 1 states
Kansas2

Who to contact

Lindsay Maguire, MD
[email protected]
913-588-3580
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Acutely Suicidality ("yes" answer to any of items 4 or 5 on C-SSRS "Suicidal Ideation" category)
Require inpatient stabilization for SI or actions based on clinical observation and interview
Are accepted for psychiatric stabilization at the University of Kansas Medical Center's Strawberry Hill campus
Have a Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) of 15
Age 18-65

Exclusion

Current or past history of psychosis
Current or recent (past 4 weeks) symptoms of mania/hypomania as defined by Young Mania Rating Scale (YRMS) score of 12 or greater
History of ketamine use disorder
History of liver transplant
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Imprisonment or inability to consent
Positive urine drug screen or serum alcohol level
Hypertension (SBP \> 160 or DBP \> 100 before administration of ketamine)
Hypotension (SBP \< 90)
Presence of acute medical condition requiring admission to medical service
Allergy, intolerance, or previous adverse reaction to ketamine
Patient has 8+ lifetime ketamine exposures
The treating physician determines that the patient is not a good candidate for the study (e.g. medical condition/procedure, medication that would contradindicate ketamine treatment)

What this trial measures

  • Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events [Safety and Tolerability]2 hours

    Safety of use of ketamine for SI in the ED, as assessed by number and severity of reported serious adverse outcomes.

  • Provider and Nursing Attitudes toward use of Ketamine for Suicidal Patients in the ED [Feasibility]2 hours

    A questionnaire will be given to providers and nursing staff to assess \[1\] perceived safety, \[2\] provider comfort, \[3\] perceived efficacy, and \[4\] perceived feasibility for ED use as rated on a Likert scale from 1-5, with 5 relaying best perceived outcomes.