Efficacy of Esketamine Nasal Spray Plus Oral Antidepressant Treatment for Relapse Prevention in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression
JAMA Psychiatry June 5, 2019 Ella J. Daly, Madhukar H. Trivedi, Adam Janik et al. 766 citations
For adults with treatment-resistant depression who achieved stable remission or response after 16 weeks of esketamine nasal spray plus an oral antidepressant, continuing esketamine plus the antidepressant delayed relapse significantly more than switching to placebo plus the antidepressant. Among those in stable remission, 26.7% relapsed on esketamine versus 45.3% on placebo, a 51% reduction in relapse risk. Among stable responders, 25.8% relapsed on esketamine versus 57.6% on placebo, a 70% reduction. Common side effects of esketamine included transient taste disturbance, vertigo, dissociation, drowsiness, and dizziness.