NASHVILLE, Tenn (WTVF) — A new drug has just been approved to help those battling depression who haven't had success with other treatments. But it's coming with a big warning and one psychiatrist says he’s been using a similar treatment for years.
“I always think of ketamine as a really good treatment to get somebody out of a deep dark hole,” said Dr. Daniel Barton.
For three years, Dr. Barton has been treating some of his patients with ketamine I.V. treatments; and he believes a new FDA approved nasal spray could open the door in treating the up to 7.4 million American adults who suffer from treatment-resistant depression.
“When people respond they respond often times very quickly; which is kind of a neat thing for folks who have been suffering for a long time,” said Barton.
Just today the FDA approved a form of ketamine called Esketamine to treat depression using a nasal spray.
Spravato is marketed as a fast-acting treatment for patients who have failed to find relief with at least two antidepressants.
But, before the drug was used in treating depression it was also known as "Special K" a party drug for its psychedelic, out-of-body experiences.
“From our experience we have heard of lots of people in recovery that used it,” said Brian Sullivan.
Drug addiction specialists and support groups like Nashville's Addiction Campuses are not for or against the new form of treatment.
“We've heard some people say that it helped them in their recovery, and we've heard some people say that it was harmful because they simply gravitated toward an addiction to that,” said Sullivan.
Spravato can only be administered in a doctor's office.
