Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions. About 30% of people who have been diagnosed with depression and have also tried antidepressants have treatment-resistant depression.
You may have treatment-resistant depression if your depression has not improved despite taking at least two antidepressants. Esketamine Nasal Spray and Ketamine Infusion Therapy are becoming more common, and also effective treatments for treatment-resistant depression.
With that being said–What is Ketamine Infusion Therapy? What is Esketamine Nasal Spray? And what really is the difference?
Ketamine Infusion Therapy
- What is Ketamine Infusion Therapy?
-
-
- Ketamine Infusion Therapy is an infusion delivered via IV to help relieve symptoms for people with treatment-resistant depression.
-
- Is it FDA approved?
-
-
- Ketamine Infusion Therapy is not FDA approved.
-
- How is it administered?
-
-
- Ketamine Infusion Therapy is administered by medical professionals through an IV as an outpatient procedure. Infusions typically take 3 hours at each visit. A medical professional will monitor you and provide support during the procedure.
-
- How long is treatment?
-
-
- Most people will receive 3-6 Ketamine Infusions over a 3-4 week time period. Then, a medical professional will work with you to determine if you need additional Ketamine Infusions in a “maintenance phase”.
-
- Is this covered by insurance?
-
- No, it is only private pay/out of pocket.
Esketamine Nasal Spray (Spravato)
- What is Esketamine Nasal Spray?
-
-
- Esketamine Nasal Spray is a version of Ketamine to treat people with treatment-resistant depression.
-
- Is it FDA approved?
-
-
- Yes, it is FDA approved and we must follow the strict guidelines set by REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies of the Federal Drug Administration).
-
- How is it administered?
-
-
- It is administered via nasal spray under the supervision of a healthcare provider at a treatment center. Treatment sessions last typically 2 hours, which includes being monitored by healthcare professionals prior to leaving the office.
-
- How long is treatment?
-
-
- A person received 16 Initial treatments over the course of a 8-week time period. Then, they will receive 4 treatments over the course of 4 weeks. You will work with your medical provider to determine booster treatments as needed for symptom relief.
-
- Is this covered by insurance?
-
- Yes, it is covered by insurance and also eligible for rebates to cover out of pocket expenses.
AACA provides the FDA approved Ketamine Nasal Spray called Spravato to ensure the safest form of treatment to our patients. Check out our SPRAVATO Resource Page to learn more about Ketamine Nasal Spray treatment at AACA.
Resources
KETAMINE INFUSION THERAPY
Esketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression | Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Spravato Patient Brochure
Treatment-Resistant Depression: What It Is & Symptoms
