:Spravato, the esketamine nasal spray, was approved by the FDA for treatment-resistant depression as a monotherapy with no oral antidepressants required.”
By Nicole C. Kear Verified Updated on February 24, 2025
“Spravato, the esketamine nasal spray approved in 2019 for use alongside oral antidepressants for treatment-resistant depression, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a standalone monotherapy with no oral medication required.
Esketamine is a form of the dissociative agent ketamine, commonly used as an anesthetic; it works by targeting the neurotransmitter glutamate. According to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 22.5% of patients who took Spravato alone for four months achieved remission from depression (as measured by MADRS) compared with 7.6% of patients taking placebo.1“