Esketamine monotherapy efficacious in treatment‐resistant depression
The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update November 1, 2025 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1002/pu.31369
Summary
Intranasal esketamine administered twice weekly significantly improved depressive symptoms in adults with treatment-resistant depression compared to a placebo over a 4-week trial. Both doses of 56 mg and 84 mg were effective in outperforming the placebo group.
Study at a glance
| Design | randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Population | adults with treatment-resistant depression |
| Key finding | Twice-weekly dosing of intranasal esketamine led to significant improvement in depressive symptoms compared to placebo. |
Abstract
Twice‐weekly dosing of intranasal esketamine resulted in significant improvement in depressive symptoms compared with placebo in adults with treatment‐resistant depression, a 4‐week trial has found. Esketamine doses of 56 and 84 mg both outperformed placebo in the post‐marketing trial. Study results were published online July 2, 2025, in JAMA Psychiatry.