What do you know about Esketamine ?

1. Reduction in Suicidal Thoughts

• Acute Suicidal Ideation: Esketamine has been shown to have a rapid antidepressant effect, particularly in reducing suicidal thoughts. This makes it a critical option for patients who are at high risk of self-harm or suicide.

2. Improved Mood and Functioning

• Overall Well-Being: In addition to alleviating depressive symptoms, esketamine can improve overall mood, energy, and daily functioning, allowing patients to return to normal activities sooner than they might with traditional antidepressants.

3. Neuroplasticity and Brain Function

• Brain Health: Esketamine is thought to stimulate neuroplasticity, which is the ability of the brain to form new neural connections. This is important in treating depression, as it may help reverse some of the structural changes that occur in the brain as a result of chronic depression.

4. Different Mechanism from Traditional Antidepressants

• Non-Serotonergic Action: While most traditional antidepressants (like SSRIs) primarily affect serotonin levels, esketamine works on the NMDA receptors and glutamate systems, offering a completely different way of targeting mood disorders. This may be why it is effective for people who have not responded to other antidepressants.

5. Potential for Use in Other Disorders

• Beyond Depression: Ongoing research suggests that esketamine could have benefits beyond depression, including anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, and possibly even obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

6. Well-Tolerated by Some Patients

•  It is an important option for those who cannot tolerate traditional medications due to side effects.

7. Reduced Need for Frequent Hospitalization

• Because of its rapid action and effectiveness, esketamine may reduce the need for frequent psychiatric hospitalizations in patients with severe, treatment-resistant depression. This is an advantage for both patient quality of life and healthcare system burden.