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Pronounced Regional Variation in Esketamine and Ketamine Prescribing to US Medicaid Patients

Alexia G. Aguilar, Burke A. Beauregard, Christopher P. Conroy, Yashoda T. Khatiwoda, Shantia M. E. Horsford, Stephanie D. Nichols, Brian J. Piper

medRxiv Preprint Server April 23, 2022 preprint DOI: 10.1101/2022.04.23.22274206 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review
Interventions Ketamine Esketamine
Topics Depression Esketamine Ketamine
Keywords Depression treatment Rapid-acting treatments Mental health interventions Healthcare disparities Geographic disparities Regional variations Unequal access Access to care Medicaid data Medicaid patients Patient data analysis Public health insurance Pharmaceutical access Drug prescribing Medication access Treatment availability
Citations 2
Key findings Ketamine and esketamine are efficacious for treatment-resistant depression, lack a therapeutic delay, and do not increase risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents and young adults.

Abstract

Background Ketamine and esketamine are efficacious for treatment resistant depression. Unlike other antidepressants, ketamine and esketamine lack a therapeutic delay and do not increase risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents and young-adults. Esketamine gained FDA approval in March of 2019.

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