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racemic ketamine

Phase 1

Drug Abuse | Small molecule | Psychiatry |Johnson & Johnson|Last Updated: Apr 27, 2025

Success Probability

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Market & Valuation

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Trial Design

RandomizedDouble-BlindCONTROLLED
Total Trials1
Total Enrollment55

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

racemic ketamine · 1 trial · 1 indication

Phase 1 1
NCT02682225Crossover Study to Evaluate the Abuse Potential of Intranasal Esketamine Compared to Racemic Intravenous Ketamine in Nondependent, Recreational Drug UsersDrug Abuse
COMPLETED55 Analytics
PHASE1COMPLETED
Crossover Study to Evaluate the Abuse Potential of Intranasal Esketamine Compared to Racemic Intravenous Ketamine in Nondependent, Recreational Drug Users
Drug AbuseUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Change From Baseline in abuse potential based on Visual Analog Scale
up to Day 2 Period 4 in Treatment Phase

The abuse potential will be assessed based on visual analog scale (VAS). The VAS score will include for Balancing Measures, Positive and Negative effect at the moment, Perceptual / Dissociative Effects and others).

Secondary Endpoints

Change From Baseline in Clinician-Administered Dissociative States Scale (CADSS) Score
up to Day 2 Period 4 in Treatment Phase
Change From Baseline in Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Score
up to Day 2 Period 4 in Treatment Phase
Percentage of Participants with Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) and Adverse Events (AEs)
Screening to follow-up visit (11 to 13 days after last dose of study medication)
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationRANDOMIZED
MaskingDOUBLE
ModelCROSSOVER
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
Sequence 1: Qualification SessionEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive Treatment A (intravenous placebo and intranasal placebo concurrently) on Day 1 and Treatment B (0.5 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) of intravenous racemic ketamine and intranasal placebo concurrently) on Day 2.
Sequence 2: Qualification SessionEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive Treatment B (0.5 mg/kg of intravenous racemic ketamine and intranasal placebo concurrently) on Day 1 and Treatment A (intravenous placebo and intranasal placebo concurrently) on Day 2.
Sequence 3: Treatment PhaseEXPERIMENTALParticipants in Sequence 3 will receive Treatment A (intravenous placebo and intranasal placebo) on Day 1 of period 1, Treatment D (intravenous placebo and intranasal 112 milligram (mg) of esketamine as 4 devices, each with 28 mg esketamine) on Day 1 of period 2, Treatment B (0.5 mg/kg of intravenous racemic ketamine and intranasal placebo) on Day 1 of period 3, Treatment C (intravenous placebo and intranasal 84 mg esketamine as 3 devices, each with 28 mg esketamine followed by 1 device with placebo) on Day 1 of period 4. Periods 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be separated by 7 to 14 days.
Sequence 4: Treatment PhaseEXPERIMENTALParticipants in Sequence 4 will receive Treatment B on Day 1 of period 1, Treatment A on Day 1 of period 2, Treatment C on Day 1 of period 3, Treatment D on Day 1 of period 4. Periods 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be separated by 7 to 14 days.
Sequence 5: Treatment PhaseEXPERIMENTALParticipants in Sequence 5 will receive Treatment C on Day 1 of period 1, Treatment B on Day 1 of period 2, Treatment D on Day 1 of period 3, Treatment A on Day 1 of period 4. Periods 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be separated by 7 to 14 days.
Sequence 6: Treatment PhaseEXPERIMENTALParticipants in Sequence 6 will receive Treatment D on Day 1 of period 1, Treatment C on Day 1 of period 2, Treatment A on Day 1 of period 3, Treatment B on Day 1 of period 4. Periods 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be separated by 7 to 14 days.

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
Intravenous placeboDRUGParticipants will receive placebo, 40-minute, intravenous infusion on Day 1 of Sequence 1, on Day 2 of Sequence 2, on Day 1 of Period 1 in Sequence 3, 5 and 6, on Day 1 of Period 2 in Sequence 3, 4 and 6, on Day 1 of Period 3 in Sequence 4, 5 and 6, and on Day 1 of Period 4 in Sequence 3, 4 and 5.
Intranasal placeboDRUGParticipants will receive placebo, intranasally, on Day 1 or Day 2 in Sequence 1 and 2, on Day 1 of Period 1 in Sequence 3 and 4, on Day 1 of Period 2 in Sequence 4 and 5, on Day 1 of Period 3 in Sequence 3 and 6 and on Day 1 of Period 4 in Sequence 5 and 6.
Intravenous racemic ketamineDRUGParticipants will receive 0.5 mg/kg racemic ketamine, intranasally, on Day 2 in sequence 1, on Day 1 in sequence 2, on Day 1 of Period 1 in Sequence 4, on Day 1 of Period 2 in Sequence 5, on Day 1 of Period 3 in Sequence 3, and on Day 1 of Period 4 in Sequence 6.
Esketamine 112 mgDRUGParticipants will receive 112 mg of Esketamine, intranasally, on Day 1 of Period 1 in Sequence 6, on Day 1 of Period 2 in Sequence 3, on Day 1 of Period 3 in Sequence 5, and on Day 1 of Period 4 in Sequence 4.
Esketamine 84 mgDRUGParticipants will receive 84 mg of Esketamine, intranasally, on Day 1 of Period 1 in Sequence 5, on Day 1 of Period 2 in Sequence 6, on Day 1 of Period 3 in Sequence 4, and on Day 1 of Period 4 in Sequence 3.
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range18 Years to 55 Years
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersYes
Study Sites1

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants with body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 30 kilogram per square meter (kg/m\^2) (inclusive), and body weight not less than 50 kg * Signed an informed consent document indicating they understand the purpose of and procedures required for the study and are willing ...

Countries:United States
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Frequently asked questions about racemic ketamine

What is racemic ketamine used for?

Racemic ketamine is being studied for its potential use in drug abuse. It is an investigational small molecule in Phase 1 clinical development. The drug is being evaluated in a clinical trial involving nondependent, recreational drug users to assess its abuse potential.

Who makes racemic ketamine?

Racemic ketamine is being developed by Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). The company is conducting clinical research on this investigational drug for the treatment of drug abuse. It is currently in Phase 1 development.

What phase is racemic ketamine in?

Racemic ketamine is in Phase 1 clinical development. It is an investigational drug and has not been approved by regulatory authorities. One Phase 1 trial has been completed, and the drug is not yet available for clinical use.

What clinical trials is racemic ketamine in?

Racemic ketamine has one completed clinical trial, NCT02682225, titled 'Crossover Study to Evaluate the Abuse Potential of Intranasal Esketamine Compared to Racemic Intravenous Ketamine in Nondependent, Recreational Drug Users.' This Phase 1 study enrolled 55 participants in the United States.

Is racemic ketamine the same as esketamine?

Racemic ketamine and esketamine are related but distinct compounds. The clinical trial NCT02682225 compares intranasal esketamine to racemic intravenous ketamine. Racemic ketamine contains both enantiomers of ketamine, while esketamine is a single enantiomer.