What is the scheduled classification of Esketamine?

Esketamine is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance. This classification indicates that while Esketamine does have a recognized medical use in the treatment of depression, particularly in treatment-resistant cases, it also has potential for abuse or dependency, albeit at a lower level than substances in the higher schedules.

The Schedule III classification allows for a balance between available medical treatments and the regulation needed to monitor its potential for misuse. This category includes medications that are still subject to certain restrictions, requiring a prescription but generally having a lower risk profile compared to Schedule I or II drugs.

In contrast, the higher schedules, such as I and II, include substances that are more tightly controlled due to their higher potential for abuse. Schedule I substances are considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, while Schedule II substances have accepted medical uses but also a high abuse potential. Understanding this classification can help healthcare providers manage prescriptions and monitor patients for both efficacy and potential misuse.