In a French real-world study of 157 patients with treatment-resistant depression who began esketamine nasal spray, most discontinued treatment within about 19 weeks. After one month, 40% of those still on the drug showed clinical response and 20% achieved remission. Adverse events occurred in 69% of patients, with serious events in 17%. The findings align with earlier clinical trials, confirming esketamine's role in treating treatment-resistant depression.
An observational study of adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) treated with esketamine across three time periods found that patients had moderate-to-severe depression, with an average Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale score of 32.6. The 157 treated patients (average age 49.0 years, 66.2% female) showed varied disease severity, subtypes, and comorbidities across cohorts. Later cohorts used esketamine earlier and before other treatments. The findings indicate a high burden of TRD and suggest esketamine is a potentially useful alternative, especially as clinicians gain more familiarity and access.