Ketamine is currently FDA-approved as an anesthetic but is not indicated for use in treating depression, although it is used by practicing physicians for that purpose and is the subject of numerous scientific publications.

It has been identified by the US Department of Veterans Affairs as a drug that may be “medically necessary” for “Treatment Resistant Depression” and for “Depression with severe suicidal ideation.

The appropriateness of ketamine for any particular patient is a doctor/patient decision that can only be made within the scope of clinical practice of medicine.