(2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine hydrochloride

(2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine hydrochloride is a small molecule drug and the hydrochloride salt form of the metabolite (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine. It is an arylcyclohexylamine and a major active metabolite of ketamine and norketamine. Unlike ketamine itself—which acts primarily as an NMDA receptor antagonist—(2R,6R)-HNK has been shown in preclinical studies to exert rapid antidepressant effects that are independent of NMDA receptor inhibition. Its mechanism appears to involve modulation of AMPA receptors rather than direct NMDA antagonism. The compound lacks the dissociative or psychotomimetic side effects associated with ketamine. As of 2025 it has reached phase I clinical trials for depression[1][3][5][6].

Other names

(2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine hydrochlorideHydroxynorketamine, (2R,6R)-, hydrochloride