| CPC A61K 31/135 (2013.01) [A61K 9/0043 (2013.01); A61K 45/06 (2013.01); A61P 25/24 (2018.01); A61K 2300/00 (2013.01)] | 26 Claims |

|
1. A method for reducing suicidality in a subject in need thereof, comprising:
(a) identifying the subject as having a Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score from 35-60 units; and
(b) intranasally administering to the subject about 30 mg to about 90 mg of racemic ketamine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, once every 3 to 4 days for 15 days, wherein ketamine is the sole therapeutic agent administered during the 15 days,
wherein intranasal administration of the racemic ketamine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, exhibits one or more of:
an AUC0-24 of norketamine at day 1, 4, or 8 after the intranasal administration that is at least 1.5 times higher than the AUC0-24 of norketamine exhibited by intravenous administration of an equivalent dose of racemic ketamine at day 1, 4, or 8 after the intravenous administration;
an AUC0-inf of norketamine at day 1, 4, or 8 after the intranasal administration that is at least 1.5 times higher than the AUC0-inf of norketamine exhibited by intravenous administration of an equivalent dose of racemic ketamine at day 1, 4, or 8 after the intravenous administration;
a Cmax of norketamine at day 1, 4, or 8 after the intranasal administration that is at least 2 times higher than the Cmax of norketamine exhibited by intravenous administration of an equivalent dose of racemic ketamine at day 1, 4, or 8 after the intravenous administration;
thereby reducing suicidality in the subject compared to suicidality in the subject prior to the administering of racemic ketamine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
|