The perspectives of patients with depression toward esketamine, and the influence of their medication adherence on their viewpoints: a Saudi cross-sectional study.
Ahmad H Almadani, Ayedh H Alghamdi, Fahad B Alfahad, Abdullah S Alibrahim, Abdulrahman I Binbakhit, Ziyad B Alenazi, Lama M Alruwaili, Abdulrahman A Alshahwan, Abdullah K Muhnna, Mohammed A Aljaffer
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1678119 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 283 |
| Population | Adults with depression |
| Topics | Depression Esketamine |
| Keywords | Saudi arabia Perspectives Medication adherence challenges |
| Key findings | 52.3% of participants were willing to receive esketamine, but 79.5% reported cost as a potential barrier, and 77.4% were nonadherent to their current medication regimen. |
Abstract
Nasal esketamine has demonstrated efficacy in the management of treatment-resistant depression and psychiatric emergency due to major depression. This study investigates acceptance and awareness of esketamine as a depression treatment option, focusing on factors that influence patients' acceptance, including adherence to current medication regimens, regardless of prior esketamine exposure. This cross-sectional study surveyed 283 adults with depression using a questionnaire and the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS-10). 52.3% of participants were willing to receive esketamine, and 51.2% preferred its weekly or biweekly dosing over daily antidepressants; 79.5% reported cost as a potential barrier. Common concerns included medication unavailability (59.7%), fear of addiction (50.5%), anticipated stigma (24.4%), and first-month dosing frequency (21.2%). Regarding adherence, 77.4% were nonadherent to their current psychiatric medication regimen. Adherence to the current regimen was higher among patients with previous esketamine use (p <.001) and among those who had someone to stay with them during and after treatment (p = .047). Patients are open to esketamine but have concerns that must be addressed. It also highlights non-adherence as a significant issue in patients with depression. These findings highlight the importance of patients' education, family involvement, and logistical supports.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on esketamine for depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 14
- Efficacy and Safety of Flexibly Dosed Esketamine Nasal Spray Combined With a Newly Initiated Oral Antidepressant in Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Randomized Double-Blind Active-Controlled Study American Journal of Psychiatry May 21, 2019
- Efficacy of Esketamine Nasal Spray Plus Oral Antidepressant Treatment for Relapse Prevention in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression JAMA Psychiatry June 5, 2019
- Efficacy and Safety of Intranasal Esketamine Adjunctive to Oral Antidepressant Therapy in Treatment-Resistant Depression JAMA Psychiatry December 27, 2017
- Efficacy and Safety of Intranasal Esketamine for the Rapid Reduction of Symptoms of Depression and Suicidality in Patients at Imminent Risk for Suicide: Results of a Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study American Journal of Psychiatry April 16, 2018
- Esketamine Nasal Spray Plus Oral Antidepressant in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry April 20, 2020
and 9 more in the library