A Ketamine Therapy that is Effective Combined with an Oral Antidepressant

Not all treatment methods recommended for depression are antidepressants. A psychiatrist may prescribe esketamine for those with treatment-resistant depression or major depression. Combined with an oral antidepressant, this type of ketamine therapy works differently than traditional depression medication and can be extremely effective. It also works more quickly than antidepressants alone.

How esketamine works

Researchers are still figuring out exactly how esketamine works. However, they know that one thing it does is target the neurotransmitter glutamate, which is responsible for various connections and communications in the brain.

That is possibly why this drug is particularly effective when combined with an antidepressant. That is because antidepressants work on improving the levels and effectiveness of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, so various aspects of the brain associated with mood disorders are being treated.

Frequently asked questions

Esketamine is a relatively new way to treat depression, so it is common to have questions about it. These are some queries that many patients have.

Is esketamine FDA approved?

Yes, esketamine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2019 for use as a depression treatment when used in conjunction with an oral antidepressant. The approval is for treatment-resistant depression and not as a first-line treatment on its own. 

What does a treatment session entail?

Esketamine is an intranasal spray, and it is self-administered by the patient. However, this only occurs while in a clinic and in front of a trained healthcare provider or psychiatrist. This professional observes the patient while administering the spray and afterward to monitor any side effects that the patient may experience. Each session takes around two hours.

How many sessions are necessary for symptom reduction?

Some patients experience a reduction in symptoms during the first session, while others may notice improvements after the second or third session. The typical treatment duration is four weeks with two sessions each week. After this period, the psychiatrist will recommend either weekly or bi-weekly sessions to maintain results.

One of the benefits of esketamine is that it acts much faster than antidepressants. Some antidepressants take weeks to work, while others may take months. 

Are there long-term side effects?

As with any medication, there is a potential for side effects with esketamine. Common side effects may include:

• Dizziness
• Dissociation
• Sedation
• Increased blood pressure
• Nausea or vomiting
• Decreased sensitivity

If side effects do occur, they typically only last for a couple of hours after the administration of the medication, which is why a healthcare professional is there to monitor. However, unlike side effects associated with antidepressants, they do not last long-term. The provider determines when the patient is ready to leave a session, and the patient should not operate a vehicle for the remainder of the day.