FDA Approves Esketamine Nasal Spray for Depression Treatment

united states - The FDA has approved the standalone use of Spravato nasal spray for severe and hard-to-treat depression in adults.

Breakthrough in Depression Treatment

Janssen's esketamine nasal spray, a relative of the anesthetic and drug ketamine, has received recognition as a solo treatment for difficult depression cases in the U.S. market since 2019. Previously used in combination with antidepressants, the FDA greenlights Spravato for standalone use. This marks a milestone as the first standalone therapy for persistent depression, potentially making it a blockbuster drug with reported earnings of $780 million in the first nine months of 2024.

While patients can still use Spravato alongside pills, the option for standalone usage offers flexibility, especially for individuals experiencing adverse reactions to other medications. Bill Martin, head of neuroscience at J&J, anticipates a rise in the number of patients benefiting from the nasal spray.