Micro-Dose, Macro-Impact: Leveraging Psychedelics in Frontline Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose

A retrospective chart review of an open-label trial of low-dose ketamine administered to front-line Healthcare workers who were identified as experiencing acute stress disorder due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Condition

  • Acute Stress Disorder

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  1. Greater than 18 years of age 2. Demonstrate capacity to consent to the study 3. A Frontline Health Care Worker-defined as any EMS personnel (firefighter, EMT, flight nurse, etc.), or any hospital-based worker (particularly in the ED, ICU, or OR) such as an RN, MD/DO, or non-clinical support staff (EVS, etc.) 4. Experiencing acute stress disorder as determined by clinically validated screening tools -

Exclusion Criteria

  1. Currently on prescription medications for psychiatric issues 2. Currently pregnant or breastfeeding or actively trying to get pregnant 3. History of seizure disorder, liver disease, or psychosis/mania 4. Uncontrolled Hypertension 5. Physician discretion: any condition deemed inappropriate that will increase the risk -

Study Design

Phase
Phase 4
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
N/A
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Intervention Model Description
Retrospective, Open-label chart review
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Sublingual Micro-Dose Ketamine
Ketamine micro-dose 37.5mg compounded sublingual daily administration
  • Drug: Sublingual Micro-Dose Ketamine
    daily micro-dosing of frontline healthcare workers suffering from acute stress disorder due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Recruiting Locations

More Details

NCT ID
NCT04769297
Status
Unknown status
Sponsor
Limbic Medical

Detailed Description

An investigation of a novel, off-label use of an FDA approved drug (ketamine) in a low(micro) dose sublingual formulation of ketamine provided to front-line healthcare workers who were identified as suffering from acute stress disorder. The study was conducted completely virtually via real-time telemedicine for physician visits and via asynchronous interaction for outcomes data collection. Patients self-referred to the study via email outreach, and diagnosis was confirmed by medically validated screening assessments and study physician confirmation. Once treatment was initiated, patients were seen via live telemedicine every 40 days while treatment response/outcomes data was collected weekly and monthly. Patients were treated up to 120 days.