Esketamine

Drug

Also known as: S-ketamine

Drug Profile

Esketamine is the S-enantiomer of ketamine, marketed as Spravato for depression and Ketanest for anesthesia uses in some regions. It is a dissociative medication used medically as a general anesthetic and as an antidepressant via intranasal administration under supervision for depression. It is a controlled prescription medicine.

Drug Class
NMDA receptor antagonist; antidepressant; general anesthetic; dissociative hallucinogen; analgesic
Approval Status
Used medically as anesthetic since 1997 and as antidepressant since 2019; legal status includes US Schedule III and prescription-only in EU/UK/Canada
Mechanism of Action
Primarily acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist
Brand Names
  • Spravato
  • Ketanest
  • Spravado
Indications
  • \Treatment-resistant depression (intranasal, supervised use)\
  • \Major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation/behavior (combination setting)\
  • \General anesthesia and anesthesia adjunct use\

Related News

Psychedelic Therapies Show Promise for Depression, Anxiety and Addiction

Clinical trials show psychedelic substances like psilocybin, LSD and MDMA combined with therapy can effectively treat depression, anxiety and addiction. Several substances are in Phase III trials, with esketamine already approved for treatment-resistant depression. Research suggests these treatments may work with fewer doses than traditional medications.

Psychedelic Therapies Advance in Depression Trials with Mixed Results

Compass Pathways reports positive Phase 3 results for synthetic psilocybin in treatment-resistant depression, while a Phase 2 trial demonstrates rapid antidepressant effects from single-dose DMT. Both studies show modest efficacy signals amid growing pharmaceutical interest in psychedelic compounds.

Related Clinical Trials

NCT ID Title Status Phase
NCT07597486

The Effect of Intraoperative Esketamine Infusion on Pruritus in Elderly Surgical Patients

NOT_YET_RECRUITING NA
NCT07570160

Intranasal Dexmedetomidine or Esketamine for Negative Postoperative Behavioral Changes in Children

NOT_YET_RECRUITING PHASE4
NCT07556172

Clinical Study of Esketamine in Patients With Sepsis Undergoing Invasive Mechanical Ventilation

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING PHASE4
NCT07374458

Effects of Esketamine and Bilateral Lower Limb Elevation on Hemodynamic Stability During Induction of General Anesthesia in Elderly Patients Undergoing Thoracic Surgery

NOT_YET_RECRUITING NA
NCT07317232

Ayahuasca, Esketamine and Premenstrual Symptoms

RECRUITING NA
NCT07317219

Ayahuasca, Esketamine and Body Image Perception

RECRUITING NA
NCT07317206

Ayahuasca, Esketamine and PTSD

RECRUITING PHASE2
NCT07315074

Effect of Esketamine on Postoperative Sleep in Postmenopausal Women

NOT_YET_RECRUITING NA
NCT07308756

Impact of Perioperative Dexmedetomidine and Esketamine on Postoperative Quality of Recovery

RECRUITING PHASE4
NCT07227454

A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Esketamine for Reduction of Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder

RECRUITING PHASE3