Compassionate use of esketamine intranasal in patients with severe major depressive disorder resistant to the treatment.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) January 1, 2025 Luis Gutiérrez-Rojas, Julia Vendrell-Serres, J Antoni Ramos-Quiroga et al. 8 citations
Intranasal esketamine, combined with an antidepressant, significantly reduced depressive symptoms in patients with severe treatment-resistant depression. In a retrospective study of 71 patients (70% women, 85% with work disability), Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale scores dropped from a mean baseline of 38.27 at 28, 90, and 180 days. Side effects were common but mostly mild and temporary. Patients who also received psychotherapy had lower depression scores at 90 and 180 days than those who did not. The authors argue that pharmacological treatment for treatment-resistant depression should be integrated with psychotherapy, social support, and family interventions to optimize outcomes.