FDA Approves Esketamine Nasal Spray For Treating Depression

By Steve Goldstein
Published: Thursday, March 14, 2019 - 11:57am
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Millions of Americans struggle with depression, and a number of prescription anti-depressants are available to help treat the condition such as Prozac, Paxil and Cymbalta. As of earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration has added Esketamine to the list.

It’s a derivative of Ketamine, which has become infamous for its use as a club drug — though it’s also an approved anesthetic.

One of Esketamine’s greatest pluses, compared to other anti-depressants, is that it comes as a nasal spray.

To discuss the impact Esketamine could have in treatment, The Show reached out to Dr. Yazhini Srivathsal, a psychiatrist at Banner Behavioral Health Hospital in Scottsdale.

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