mental health disorders
Medications for Treatment of Depression
Ketamine and esketamine
Ketamineis an anesthetic. However, researchers have learned that brain mechanisms affected byketamineplay a role in depression and that, when given at sub-anesthetic (lower) doses, can produce rapid though usually transient improvements in depressive symptoms.Esketamine, a form ofketamine, is also available for people with major depressive disorder who have not responded to traditional treatments. It is given as a nasal spray. It is used in lower doses than those given for anesthesia. Most people who are givenketamineoresketaminehave a decrease in depression symptoms within 3 to 4 hours. This is a very rapid response compared to that of most antidepressant medications, which can take several weeks to be effective. In most cases, the effect ofketamineoresketaminebegins to decline over 1 to 2 weeks. Repeating the dose every week or so often helps but it can stop working after a few months, although a few people can maintain their improvement on one treatment a month. Side effects may occur within 1 to 2 hours, including increased blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, and mental effects such as people feeling disconnected from themselves ( Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder ), feeling a distortion of time and space, and having illusions. These medications are usually given in a doctor’s office or a hospital clinic so that doctors can watch the person for side effects for a few hours and because they can be addictive and are sometimes misused. 