Esketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Esketamine Treatment

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) offers esketamine treatment for adults whose depression has not improved with standard treatments. This FDA-approved therapy is provided in a safe, closely monitored outpatient setting by experienced mental health specialists.

What Is Esketamine Treatment?

Esketamine is a medication used to treat treatment-resistant depression. It is given as a nasal spray that you self-administer while under medical supervision in our outpatient clinic.

Each visit includes time for monitoring before, during, and after treatment to support your safety and comfort.

Benefits and Risks of Esketamine

Esketamine has helped many people who did not experience enough relief from multiple antidepressant medications or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

Possible benefits include:

• Improvement in depression symptoms
• Lasting relief when treatment is taken as recommended

Possible side effects include:

• Temporary changes in mood or thinking
• Feeling relaxed or sleepy during the treatment session
• Feeling anxious during or shortly after treatment for some people
• A temporary increase in blood pressure

Treatment sessions last about two hours and our team closely monitors you throughout the visit.

How Does Esketamine Work?

Researchers are still learning exactly how esketamine works. We do know that it helps the brain form new connections, a process called synaptic plasticity. It also changes how different areas of the brain communicate.

These effects may help shift the brain patterns that contribute to ongoing depression symptoms.

Is Esketamine Right for You?

Esketamine may be an option if you:

• Are experiencing severe depression
• Have tried at least two antidepressant medications for at least one month
• Have tried at least one medication that was not an SSRI or SNRI

Your psychiatrist or psychiatric prescriber can help determine if esketamine is right for you.

Insurance Coverage

Esketamine treatment requires prior authorization. Most insurance plans cover services at BIDMC. If your insurance does not approve treatment, our team will work with you to explore other treatment options.

How To Get Esketamine Treatment at BIDMC

To get started, talk with your psychiatrist or psychiatric prescriber about referring you to our clinic.

Because esketamine is a specialized treatment, we must coordinate care with a current outpatient prescriber and cannot accept self-referrals.

If you or your provider have questions, please call 617-632-8463.

Alternatives to Esketamine

Esketamine is one of several treatment options available at BIDMC. Other approaches may include:

• Additional medication options
• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
• Psychotherapy

Our team will review all available options with you to help create a treatment plan that fits your needs.