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Esketamine for treatment resistant depression: a trick of smoke and mirrors?

Chiara GastaldonD PapolaG OstuzziCorrado Barbui
Published in: Epidemiology and psychiatric sciences (2019)
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.
Keyphrases
  • drug administration
  • depressive symptoms
  • sleep quality
  • clinical practice
  • public health
  • pain management
  • early onset
  • physical activity
  • risk assessment
  • combination therapy