Esketamine for treatment resistant depression: a trick of smoke and mirrors?
C. Gastaldon, D. Papola, G. Ostuzzi, C. Barbui
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences 2020 DOI: 10.1017/s2045796019000751 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Esketamine |
| Topics | Depression Esketamine |
| Key points | The commentary critically examines the evidence on esketamine submitted to the FDA, with the aim of drawing implications for clinical practice, research, and regulatory science. It notes that esketamine is the S-enantiomer of ketamine, an approved anaesthetic associated with dissociation and occasionally hallucinations, and that ketamine remains unapproved for depression in the USA and other countries despite off-label use in severe depression. |
Abstract
Abstract In March 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a nasal spray formulation of esketamine for the treatment of resistant depression in adults. Esketamine is the S-enantiomer of ketamine, an FDA-approved anaesthetic, known to cause dissociation and, occasionally, hallucinations. While ketamine has not been approved for depression in the USA or in any other country, it has been used off-label in cases of severe depression. This commentary critically reviewed the evidence on esketamine submitted to the FDA, aiming to draw implications for clinical practice, research and regulatory science.