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91̽�� Health Psychiatry has expanded its service offerings to include a new treatment for adults with treatment-resistant depression. 

Esketamine, an FDA-approved prescription nasal spray, has been offered at the 91̽�� Health Psychiatry clinic, 1717 Shaffer Street, since September. 

Esketamine can be used alone or in combination with an oral antidepressant for:  

• Adults with treatment-resistant depression (patients who have had an inadequate response to two or more oral antidepressants) 

Esketamine can also be used in combination with an oral antidepressant for:  

• Depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation or behavior 

“We know that standard treatments for depression work for a good proportion of the population. However, a third of patients do not get better with those standard treatments,” said Eric Achtyes, MD, MS, DFAPA, professor and chair of the medical school’s Department of Psychiatry. “We want to be able to offer an additional, well-researched, safe alternative that could bring relief to an additional group of patients right here in Kalamazoo.” 

The treatment is administered in the clinic, and patients are monitored for the following two hours, according to Thomas Picard, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry. A course of treatment is twice a week for four weeks, followed by once a week for four weeks, and then as needed. 

“The medicine is delivered nasally, and it produces a ‘dream-like’ sensation where patients drift off; I often describe it as a mental massage,” Dr. Picard said. “Patients interested in the treatment will get a thorough evaluation at our clinic to see if this treatment is appropriate, and then administration in a safe clinical environment, adjacent to a hospital.” 

Pre-authorization is required for esketamine treatment. Patients interested in the treatment must be referred to the psychiatry clinic and evaluated by one of 91̽��’s esketamine-providing psychiatrists: Dr. Picard or Niaz Mohammad, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry. 

“We may not be able to offer esketamine to every patient that is interested in the treatment based on what is medically appropriate,” Dr. Achtyes said. “It is important to consult with your doctor about whether this treatment might be right for you.” 

For more information, visit wmed.edu/wmedhealth/psychiatry or call 269.337.6373.