Oral Esketamine as Alternative for Maintenance Electroconvulsive Therapy in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Case Series.
The journal of ECT January 21, 2025 Daniël T Coerts, Jolien K E Veraart, Jeanine Kamphuis et al. 1 citation
In eight patients with treatment-resistant depression, repeated oral esketamine was tested as a replacement for maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (M-ECT). Over six weeks, esketamine doses were gradually increased up to 3.0 mg/kg twice weekly. Depression severity remained stable or improved in five patients, while three worsened and resumed M-ECT. Among five patients with available scores, all showed improvement on the Outcome Questionnaire 45. Four patients continue to receive oral esketamine. Oral esketamine may offer a suitable, patient-friendly alternative to M-ECT, though controlled trials are needed to confirm long-term safety and efficacy.