A Promising but Controversial New Depression Treatment Is Now More Accessible in Vermont
Seven Days
A primary care doctor at the University of Vermont Health Network will soon start treating depression with a mind-altering drug that's shown promise in helping people who don't respond to traditional medicine.
The medication — known as esketamine and sold by Johnson & Johnson under the brand name Spravato — is chemically similar to ketamine, a substance that's been used in medical settings as an anesthetic, on the streets as a party drug and, more recently, as an off-label treatment for mood disorders.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved esketamine in 2019 as a fast-acting treatment for patients who have failed to find relief from at least two other antidepressants. It comes in a nasal spray that's prescribed in conjunction with a traditional antidepressant and must be taken under the supervision of medical professionals because it can cause dizziness, blood pressure spikes and psychedelic, out-of-body experiences.