The Psychiatric Day Hospital of the Baixo Alentejo Local Health Unit, located at the José Joaquim Fernandes Hospital in Beja, administered the first intranasal dose of Spravato (esketamine) on August 28 as part of the treatment for treatment-resistant depression.
This is a significant milestone, as it marks the first time this treatment—which involves the intranasal administration of a psychedelic—has been used within the National Health Service since Infarmed approved its funding on May 7 of this year.
What are the effects of escetamine in the treatment of treatment-resistant depression?
"Spravato, in combination with an SSRI [Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor] or SNRI [Selective Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitor], is indicated for adults with treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder who have not responded to at least three different antidepressant treatments, with combination strategies or oral potentiation, in the current moderate to severe depressive episode, who have previously undergone psychotherapy and have resistance to electroconvulsive therapy, contraindication, do not have access to or have refused this therapy," reads the Infarmed decision.
The National Health Service notes that “escetamine, when administered in a hospital setting and under strict clinical supervision, has proven effective in patients who do not respond to other treatments, offering new hope for people with severe and treatment-resistant depression.”
Currently, Spravato is the least invasive way to use escetamine, a psychedelic substance, in the treatment of severe or treatment-resistant depression, as it is an intranasal medication.
Find out more about the Esketamine Program here and talk to us.
