FDA approval of ketamine spray signals 'major shift' in depression therapy
It is ‘quite likely’ the TGA will approve the drug to treat resistant depression in Australia, says psychiatrist
15th March 2019
By Lydia Hales
The approval by the US Food and Drug Administration of a ketamine-like nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression has been described as a paradigm shift by a leading Australian psychiatrist.
Last week the US regulator gave the green light to Spravato, which contains the ketamine derivative esketamine, following several short trials that included Australian patients.
US patients with resistant depression will only be able to use the drug in conjunction with an oral antidepressant and under strict conditions — including being monitored by a