Fast-Acting Nasal Spray An Option For Treatment-Resistant Depression

The Pacific Ketamine Institute is now offering esketamine nasal spray (Spravato, Johnson & Johnson) for the treatment of patients who don't respond well to traditional oral antidepressants. It is a prescription medication to be used alongside an oral antidepressant.¹

In the United States alone, 16 million people suffer from major depressive disorders each year, and around 30% of those gain little or no relief even after multiple courses of conventional medication.² The possibilities for ketamine-derived medications could affect many conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar mood disorder, chronic pain, and post-traumatic stress disorder.²

The N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist was approved by the FDA in March 2019. It contains a key ketamine derivative that provides rapid relief for patients suffering from severe depression.² According to the Pacific Ketamine Institute, patients' moods improved by 2-4 points on their 10-point mood monitor scale after only 1 dose.¹

A clinical study found that 456 severely depressed and suicidal patients saw a significant and lasting reduction in symptoms within 24 hours of their first dose. This affect could be especially important to the treatment of depression, considering that most conventional antidepressants take 4-6 weeks to begin working.²

Treatment plans for esketamine begin twice weekly at 56 or 84 mg, then move to once weekly or every 2 weeks for maintenance. It is self-administered under the supervision of a health care professional.¹

"Depression is a common and potentially debilitating illness that can have profound emotional, function and economic impact on both those who suffer and their loved ones," said Michael E. Thase, MD, a site principal investigator for the clinical trials, in a statement. "The impact of depression is greatest for those who do not benefit from standard treatments."³

REFERENCES

• Pacific Ketamine Institute Los Angeles. Esketamine Los Angeles - SPRAVATO FDA Approved Treatment. Pacific Ketamine website. https://pacificketamine.com/esketamine-los-angeles/ Accessed 9 Oct. 2019.
• Pacific Ketamine Institute Introduces SPRAVATO™ Treatment for Depression and Mental Disorders [news release]. Beverly Hills, CA; October 3, 2019: Pacific Ketamine. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pacific-ketamine-institute-introduces-spravato-treatment-for-depression-and-mental-disorders-300930312.html. Accessed 9 Oct. 2019.
• Janssen Announces US FDA Approval of SPRAVATO (esketamine) CIII Nasal Spray for Adults with Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) Who Have Cycled Through Multiple Treatments Without Relief [news release]. Titusville, NJ; March 5, 2019: Janssen website. https://www.janssen.com/janssen-announces-us-fda-approval-spravato-esketamine-ciii-nasal-spray-adults-treatment-resistant. Accessed October 10, 2019.