Nasal Ketamine Treatment (Esketamine Nasal Spray) for Treatment‑Resistant Depression
Clinical Efficacy
• Rapid Onset: Many patients report symptom relief within 24 hours of the first dose.
• Remission Rates: By four weeks, approximately one‑quarter of treated patients achieve remission versus under 10% with placebo.
• Sustained Benefits: Improvements maintained at one month and beyond with continued maintenance dosing.
• Real‑World Data: Observational studies in diverse populations, including Veterans, confirm reductions in depressive and PTSD symptoms.
Safety Profile and Side Effects
Common Adverse Events:
• Dissociation or “out‑of‑body” sensations
• Transient increases in blood pressure
• Dizziness, nausea, headache
• Monitoring: On‑site observation ensures these effects resolve before discharge.
• Rare Risks: Panic attacks, mania, motor incoordination, and self‑harm ideation—managed promptly by clinical staff.
• Off‑Label Nasal Ketamine: Home‑use compounded ketamine is not FDA‑approved and lacks safety monitoring, posing additional risks.
How is esketamine treatment effective?
Conventional antidepressants tend to increase the naturally-occurring chemicals in your body, such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These chemicals allow better communication between brain cells, affecting your mood positively.
Esketamine therapy works similarly. It increases the glutamate levels in your body, the most abundant chemical in the human brain, eventually uplifting your mood.
Does Esketamine Therapy Have Side Effects?
The side effects of esketamine therapy vary from individual to individual. The most common side effects include:
- Hallucinations
- Feeling disconnected from yourself and the world.
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Feeling drunk
- Increased blood pressure
.png)
.png)
.png)
