Esketamine Archives • Wonder Years

How To Get Ready For Esketamine Treatment

4 August, 202327 February, 2024

Esketamine treatment has emerged as a promising option for individuals battling depression. This innovative therapy offers new possibilities for those who have not responded well to traditional approaches. To make the most of your Esketamine treatment, proper preparation is essential. In this article, we will guide you through the key steps to get ready for your Esketamine treatment, ensuring you have a successful and transformative experience.

Seek Professional Guidance

Before embarking on any depression treatment, it is crucial to consult with a qualified healthcare professional. Discuss your symptoms, medical history, and previous treatment experiences. An experienced clinician will evaluate if Esketamine treatment is suitable for you, taking into account your specific needs and circumstances.

Educate Yourself

Understanding the ins and outs of Esketamine treatment can help alleviate anxiety and set realistic expectations. Research reputable sources, such as medical journals and trustworthy websites, to learn about the mechanism of action, potential side effects, and the overall treatment process. Knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions and actively participate in your treatment journey.

Establish a Support System

Building a reliable support network can make a significant difference during the course of your Esketamine treatment. Reach out to family members, close friends, or support groups to inform them about your decision to undergo this therapy. Their understanding, encouragement, and presence can provide emotional strength and stability throughout the treatment period.

Assess Lifestyle Factors

Optimizing your overall well-being contributes to the success of any depression treatment, including Esketamine therapy. Pay attention to your lifestyle choices and consider adopting healthy habits. Focus on maintaining a balanced diet, incorporating regular exercise into your routine, practicing stress management techniques, and ensuring sufficient sleep. These lifestyle factors can enhance the effectiveness of the treatment.

Medication Review

Inform your healthcare provider about any medications you are currently taking. Some medications, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), may interfere with Esketamine treatment. Your healthcare professional will guide you on adjusting or discontinuing certain medications to avoid potential adverse effects and ensure a safe treatment process.

Plan Transportation

After Esketamine treatment, it is advisable to have someone accompany you and assist with transportation. The medication’s sedative effects and potential disorientation may linger for a few hours. Organize reliable transportation to and from the treatment facility, ensuring your safety and comfort.

Create a Relaxing Environment

Designate a calm and comfortable space at home where you can rest and recuperate after each Esketamine session. Make this area cozy, with soft lighting, soothing music, and any other elements that promote relaxation. Minimizing external distractions can facilitate the integration of the treatment’s benefits.

Prepare for Potential Side Effects

Like any medical intervention, Esketamine treatment may have associated side effects. These can include dizziness, nausea, and temporary dissociative experiences. Talk to your healthcare provider to understand these potential effects and learn strategies to manage them effectively. Being prepared will allow you to navigate the treatment process with greater confidence.

Getting ready for Esketamine treatment involves careful planning, collaboration with healthcare professionals, and self-preparation. By following these essential steps, you can optimize your chances of experiencing the benefits of this innovative depression treatment.

Remember, active participation and open communication with your healthcare team are key to achieving a successful outcome. Embrace the journey and look forward to a brighter future with the potential that Esketamine treatment offers for those struggling with depression.

Esketamine For Depression Here’s How It Works

29 November, 202227 February, 2024

Patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression no longer have to feel at a loss. There is encouraging news for persons suffering from severe treatment-resistant depression: Esketamine is a revolutionary medicine that can relieve serious depression within hours. Esketamine for depression treatment is a novel innovative medication that alleviates serious depressive illness within hours in some cases. Esketamine is praised as a completely novel medication that has enabled a large number of people to live their lives without the filter of depression.

What Exactly Is Esketamine?

Esketamine is derived from the anesthetic ketamine, which has long been used to treat depression.

Esketamine is an intranasal medication that works in the brain. It is licensed in combination with an oral antidepressant for treating treatment-resistant depression.

However, it wasn’t until recently that esketamine, a more powerful variant of ketamine, received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permission for use as a nasal spray for those suffering from treatment-resistant depression.

In addition to esketamine as an alternative depression treatment program, the FDA has approved Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) as well in the treatment of specific behavioral health conditions.

How Does Esketamine Therapy Work?

Because esketamine, like ketamine, has the potential to alter perception in the first two hours following treatment, it must be delivered in a clinical environment.

Under a doctor’s supervision, you administer three doses of nasal spray, five minutes apart. You will be kept at the clinic under the doctor’s supervision until any probable adverse effects have passed.

Esketamine must be used with a standard antidepressant. The goal is for esketamine to offer immediate relief from depressive symptoms until the other medicine takes action.

Who Is Suitable for Esketamine Therapy?

Esketamine is now licensed for treatment-resistant depression. That indicates you’ve taken at least two other antidepressants (for at least six weeks each) and haven’t seen remission or at least a 50% improvement in mood.

How Is Esketamine Used to Treat Depression?

Esketamine and its related medication ketamine are extremely effective depression therapies for a variety of reasons, including:

The antidepressant action of ketamine differs from that of other medications. Traditional antidepressants raise levels of naturally occurring neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. These molecules act as messengers, relaying information between brain cells. The hypothesis is that having more of these neurotransmitters allows for better communication between brain cells and hence improves mood.
Esketamine functions similarly to other antidepressants, except it raises glutamate levels, the most common chemical messenger in the brain. The end result? A larger influence on more brain cells at the same time.

Are There Any Negative Side Effects of Esketamine?

Esketamine medication can cause a wide range of negative effects in patients. Hallucinations and feeling estranged from yourself or reality are the most dramatic. However, adverse effects often peak at 40 minutes and fade after two hours of therapy.

The first two treatments will have the most severe adverse effects. After then, symptoms normally subside. Other possible adverse effects include:

Blood pressure rise
Nausea
Feeling tipsy
Drowsiness
Headache

If you think that your current depression treatment is not working for you, you may want to consult with Wonder Years to explore if depression treatment SPRAVATO® (esketamine) is the right choice for you.