Repeated subcutaneous esketamine on treatment-resistant depression: An open-label dose titration study.
Journal of affective disorders January 15, 2025 Fernanda Palhano-Fontes, Patricia Cavalcanti-Ribeiro, Kaike Thiê da Costa Gonçalves et al. 7 citations
Eight weekly subcutaneous injections of esketamine produced a 52.17% response rate and a 34.78% remission rate in 30 patients with treatment-resistant depression, with improvements in self-reported depressive symptoms sustained for up to six months. The open-label trial lacked a control group and had a small sample size, limiting causal interpretation and generalizability. Subcutaneous administration offers a cheaper, easier alternative to intravenous or intranasal routes with comparable plasma levels and fewer side effects.