Matching articles for "esketamine"
In Brief: Adjunctive Pramipexole for Treatment-Resistant Depression
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • October 13, 2025; (Issue 1739)
The oral nonergot dopamine agonist pramipexole
(Mirapex ER, and generics), which is FDA-approved
for treatment of Parkinson's disease and restless legs
syndrome, has been used off-label in patients...
The oral nonergot dopamine agonist pramipexole
(Mirapex ER, and generics), which is FDA-approved
for treatment of Parkinson's disease and restless legs
syndrome, has been used off-label in patients with
treatment-resistant depression (TRD). A double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial of pramipexole augmentation
in patients with unipolar TRD was recently published.
Drugs for Depression
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • December 11, 2023; (Issue 1691)
A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is
generally used for initial treatment of major depressive
disorder (MDD). A serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitor (SNRI), bupropion (Wellbutrin SR,...
A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is
generally used for initial treatment of major depressive
disorder (MDD). A serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitor (SNRI), bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, and
others), and mirtazapine (Remeron, and others) are
reasonable alternatives. Improvement in symptoms
can occur within the first two weeks of treatment
with these drugs, but a substantial benefit may not be
achieved for 4-8 weeks.
Dextromethorphan/Bupropion (Auvelity) for Depression
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • December 26, 2022; (Issue 1666)
The FDA has approved an extended-release fixed-dose
combination of dextromethorphan and
bupropion (Auvelity – Axsome) for treatment of major
depressive disorder (MDD) in...
The FDA has approved an extended-release fixed-dose
combination of dextromethorphan and
bupropion (Auvelity – Axsome) for treatment of major
depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.
A New Indication for Esketamine Nasal Spray (Spravato)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 21, 2020; (Issue 1607)
Esketamine (Spravato – Janssen), an intranasal
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist
that was previously approved by the FDA for treatmentresistant
depression,1 has now been approved...
Esketamine (Spravato – Janssen), an intranasal
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist
that was previously approved by the FDA for treatmentresistant
depression,1 has now been approved for
treatment of depressive symptoms in adults with
major depressive disorder (MDD) and acute suicidal
ideation or behavior. Esketamine is the S-enantiomer
of the anesthetic ketamine (Ketalar, and generics).
It is the first drug to be approved for this indication.
Most clinical trials of antidepressants have excluded
patients with acute suicidal ideation.
Drugs for Depression
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 24, 2020; (Issue 1592)
Complete remission of symptoms is the goal of
treatment for major depressive disorder; a partial
response is associated with an increased risk of
relapse. Improvement in symptoms can occur within
the first...
Complete remission of symptoms is the goal of
treatment for major depressive disorder; a partial
response is associated with an increased risk of
relapse. Improvement in symptoms can occur within
the first two weeks of treatment with an antidepressant,
but it may take 4-8 weeks to achieve a substantial
benefit. Following successful treatment of a first major
depressive episode, antidepressant treatment should
be continued at the same dose for at least 4-9 months
to consolidate recovery. In patients with recurrent
depressive episodes, long-term maintenance treatment
can reduce the risk of relapse.
Esketamine Nasal Spray (Spravato) for Treatment-Resistant Depression
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • April 8, 2019; (Issue 1569)
The FDA has approved esketamine (Spravato –
Janssen), an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor
antagonist, for intranasal treatment (in conjunction
with an oral antidepressant) of adults with...
The FDA has approved esketamine (Spravato –
Janssen), an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor
antagonist, for intranasal treatment (in conjunction
with an oral antidepressant) of adults with treatment-resistant
depression (TRD). This is the first FDA
approval for esketamine, which is the S-enantiomer
of the intravenous anesthetic ketamine (Ketalar,
and generics). In recent years, IV ketamine has been
increasingly used (off-label) for treatment of TRD.