ISSN 0189-1774
 
2026, Vol: 24, Issue: 2
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Case Report
Online Published: 04 Nov 2025
 


Ketamine use for severe depression in Low resource settings – A case report

Frances Adiukwu, Best Akio, Chigozie Uwandu, Avwarute O. Ochei, Olufisayo Adesokun, Chimenum Wodu, Ibiye George, Precious Anuonyeh..

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    • Abstract
    Background: Depression is a chronic mental disorder and has remained a leading cause of disease burden. The lifetime prevalence in Nigeria is estimated to range from 3.1% to 5.2%. However, higher prevalence rates have been documented in more recent studies.

    Aim: This case report and literature review is to bring to light the need for newer medications/interventions in the treatment of depression in low-resource countries such as Nigeria.

    Setting: This research was conducted at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.

    Method: The managing team developed a protocol for the trial of ketamine infusion in the management of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and depression with suicidality. Written consent was obtained before the Ketamine infusion therapy.

    Results: Patient was assessed using the Hamilton depression rating scale, which was significantly high before commencement of ketamine infusion at a value of 22/52, indicative of severe form, and progressively reduced to 13/52 after receiving the third dose of ketamine infusion therapy.

    Conclusion: Although being an instance case of a single trial of Ketamine infusion therapy, the authors report that the off-label use of Ketamine for the treatment of TRD in low-resource settings is feasible.

    Contribution: This case report would add to the evidence that off-label use of ketamine in the management of TRD is possible.

    Key words: Keywords: subanaesthetic ketamine; Depression; Nigeria; essential medication


    		 
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    How to Cite this Article
    Pubmed Style

    Adiukwu F, Akio B, Uwandu C, Ochei AO, Adesokun O, Wodu C, George I, Anuonyeh. P. Ketamine use for severe depression in Low resource settings – A case report. NJP. 2025; 23(1): 56-61. doi:10.5455/NJP.252547

    Web Style

    Adiukwu F, Akio B, Uwandu C, Ochei AO, Adesokun O, Wodu C, George I, Anuonyeh. P. Ketamine use for severe depression in Low resource settings – A case report. https://nigerianjournalofpsychiatry.com/?mno=252547 [Access: June 27, 2026]. doi:10.5455/NJP.252547

    AMA (American Medical Association) Style

    Adiukwu F, Akio B, Uwandu C, Ochei AO, Adesokun O, Wodu C, George I, Anuonyeh. P. Ketamine use for severe depression in Low resource settings – A case report. NJP. 2025; 23(1): 56-61. doi:10.5455/NJP.252547


    Vancouver/ICMJE Style

    Adiukwu F, Akio B, Uwandu C, Ochei AO, Adesokun O, Wodu C, George I, Anuonyeh. P. Ketamine use for severe depression in Low resource settings – A case report. NJP. (2025), [cited June 27, 2026]; 23(1): 56-61. doi:10.5455/NJP.252547


    Harvard Style

    Adiukwu, F., Akio, . B., Uwandu, . C., Ochei, . A. O., Adesokun, . O., Wodu, . C., George, . I. & Anuonyeh., . P. (2025) Ketamine use for severe depression in Low resource settings – A case report. NJP, 23 (1), 56-61. doi:10.5455/NJP.252547


    Turabian Style

    Adiukwu, Frances, Best Akio, Chigozie Uwandu, Avwarute O. Ochei, Olufisayo Adesokun, Chimenum Wodu, Ibiye George, and Precious Anuonyeh.. 2025. Ketamine use for severe depression in Low resource settings – A case report. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry, 23 (1), 56-61. doi:10.5455/NJP.252547


    Chicago Style

    Adiukwu, Frances, Best Akio, Chigozie Uwandu, Avwarute O. Ochei, Olufisayo Adesokun, Chimenum Wodu, Ibiye George, and Precious Anuonyeh.. "Ketamine use for severe depression in Low resource settings – A case report." Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry 23 (2025), 56-61. doi:10.5455/NJP.252547


    MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

    Adiukwu, Frances, Best Akio, Chigozie Uwandu, Avwarute O. Ochei, Olufisayo Adesokun, Chimenum Wodu, Ibiye George, and Precious Anuonyeh.. "Ketamine use for severe depression in Low resource settings – A case report." Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry 23.1 (2025), 56-61. Print. doi:10.5455/NJP.252547


    APA (American Psychological Association) Style

    Adiukwu, F., Akio, . B., Uwandu, . C., Ochei, . A. O., Adesokun, . O., Wodu, . C., George, . I. & Anuonyeh., . P. (2025) Ketamine use for severe depression in Low resource settings – A case report. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry, 23 (1), 56-61. doi:10.5455/NJP.252547


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