Esketamine Treatment Specialist

What is treatment-resistant depression?

Treatment-resistant depression is a form of depression that doesn't respond to traditional treatments like antidepressants. For example, you may not notice any improvement at all, or your symptoms may subside temporarily before returning. 

If you've tried at least two different types of antidepressants and psychotherapy without improvement, you should talk to the team at A Ray of Hope: Great Lakes Institute of Neurology and Psychiatry about esketamine. 

What is esketamine?

Esketamine is a type of ketamine that has been approved by the FDA as an alternative for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Ketamine was initially approved as an anesthetic in 1970. Over the following decades, research revealed that ketamine could also rapidly improve neurotransmitter function and reduce depression symptoms.

Esketamine is a nasal spray. The FDA requires that esketamine only be provided by a licensed psychiatrist in a clinical setting because of the high potential for abuse.

Traditional antidepressants need to build up in your system to reach their full therapeutic potential. Esketamine works in your body differently. It immediately targets your glutamatergic system to create new synapses, or connections, between the brain cells that regulate your mood. 

The drug can be particularly helpful if you're experiencing suicidal ideations. 

What should I expect while taking esketamine?

You should use a nasal decongestant an hour before taking the esketamine and avoid eating for at least two hours before your treatment. 

After you take the esketamine nasal spray, you stay in the office under observation for two hours. You also need to arrange for a friend or family member to drive you to and from your appointment. Esketamine can make you very drowsy and may cause other side effects that make it unsafe for you to operate a vehicle. 

However, despite the safety precautions, esketamine provides rapid relief for depression symptoms. In clinical studies, esketamine demonstrated a significant effect by providing noticeable symptom relief within two days. 

You take esketamine in addition to an oral antidepressant and as part of a multidisciplinary treatment plan. Your provider works with you to improve your overall health as well as your depression. 

If you have treatment-resistant depression, call A Ray of Hope: Great Lakes Institute of Neurology and Psychiatry to schedule a consultation today to determine if esketamine therapy is right for you.