What type of depression is Esketamine primarily used to treat?

Esketamine is primarily used to treat treatment-resistant depression, which occurs when individuals do not respond adequately to traditional antidepressant therapies. This form of depression can significantly impair an individual's quality of life, making it crucial to find effective treatment options.

Esketamine, administered as a nasal spray, offers a novel approach by working differently from conventional antidepressants. It primarily acts on the glutamate system, rather than the serotonin or norepinephrine systems targeted by most commonly prescribed antidepressants. This mechanism aids in rapidly alleviating depressive symptoms, even in patients who have not responded to other treatments.

In contrast, while it may have some applications in other types of depression, such as unipolar or postpartum depression, the primary indication and most significant clinical benefit of Esketamine is observed in treatment-resistant cases. Understanding this distinction is essential for effective clinical management of depression.