If you are thinking about ending your life, please reach out now. Contact your local emergency number or a crisis line where you live. The treatments below are given in hospitals and specialist clinics, alongside standard care. They are not something to try on your own.
Substance by substance
One card per substance, strongest evidence first. A substance that isn’t here has no published clinical evidence for this condition yet.
Esketamine (Spravato)
Approved therapy
Approved for depression with acute suicidal thoughts. It eases depression faster; it didn't beat placebo on suicidality itself.
Since 2020, the US label covers depressive symptoms in adults with major depression who have acute suicidal ideation or behaviour, alongside an oral antidepressant. The EU authorises a short-term use in psychiatric emergencies.12
In the two trials behind this approval, depression improved faster than with placebo within 24 hours, but the drug didn't separate from placebo on the suicidality measure.34
Fast, short-lived relief from suicidal thoughts. A bridge, not a cure.
Pooling individual data from 167 patients, one infusion reduced suicidal thoughts within a day, with effects lasting up to a week.5
In a 156-person randomised trial, 63% of inpatients on ketamine were free of suicidal thoughts on day 3, versus 32% on placebo. By six weeks the groups no longer differed.6
Numbered in the order they appear above. We only use peer-reviewed papers, official company announcements (for trial status and topline results), regulators and trial registries.
