Intranasal Esketamine-dexmedetomidine Combination and Postpartum Depression
Starting soon · Phase 4 · Has a placebo group
Conditions studied: Parturients, Depressive Symptoms, Esketamine, Dexmedetomidine, Intranasal Administration, Postpartum Depression
In brief
Esketamine has rapid-onset antidepressant effects and may reduce postpartum depression in parturients with prenatal depressive symptoms. However, its adverse neuropsychiatric symptoms limits clinical application. Dexmedetomidine can alleviate these adverse symptoms and has independent antidepressant effect. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is designed to evaluate whether intranasal esketamine combined with dexmedetomidine can reduce the prevalence of postpartum depression in women with prenatal depressive symptoms.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07639099
- Run by
- Peking University First Hospital
- People needed
- 164
- Starts
- 2026-06-01
- Expected to finish
- 2029-12-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-06-15
Who can join
Age: 18 and older. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Pregnant women aged ≥18 years who are preparing for childbirth;
- Positive prenatal depression screening, defined as a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score ≥5.
You may not qualify if…
- History of schizophrenia or existence of communication barriers;
- Severe obstetric complications, including severe preeclampsia, placenta accreta, HELLP syndrome, placenta previa, placental abruption, or ASA physical status classification >III;
- Contraindications to ketamine/esketamine, including refractory hypertension, severe cardiovascular disease (NYHA class ≥III), or hyperthyroidism;
- Contraindications to dexmedetomidine, including severe bradycardia (heart rate <50 bpm), or second-degree or higher atrioventricular block;
- Unsuitable for intranasal administration due to nasal cavity diseases (e.g., rhinitis, nasal polyps, or nasal congestion of any cause);
- Refusal to participate in this study or concurrent participation in another clinical trial.
Where it is running
- Peking University First Hospital — Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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