Multitudes of depression treatment drugs have been developed over the past few decades, with incredible advancements in treating depression happening every day. However, mental health remains an uncharted field in many respects, and there are still patients for whom traditional medications are ineffective. Pending U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a new drug may offer hope for people with treatment-resistant depression – but what will they cost?

Though not yet approved by the FDA, recent research has declared that ketamine, a drug previously used exclusively as an anesthetic, is now considered a safe and effective treatment for treatment-resistant depression. A related medicine, esketamine, is also considered safe for treatment-resistant depression. Clinical trials continue with the hope that both medications may eventually be widely used in psychiatry to treat major depression and treatment-resistant depression.

Research completed over a number of years suggests that low doses of ketamine treatment can provide rapid antidepressant effects, typically improving mood within 24 hours to seven days. This news comes as a surprise to most people, who are more familiar with the street use of ketamine rather than its benefits in a clinical setting. 

However, with the prospect of ketamine therapy gaining FDA approval in the future, the drug may become a more widely accessible option in psychotherapy and the treatment of depression. With its antidepressant response, it could be more commonly used in the treatment of certain mood disorders, major depressive disorder and other similar conditions.

Similar benefits have been reported with another anesthetic, esketamine, an intranasal (nasal spray) form of which was approved by the FDA in 2019 under the brand name Spravato. It was approved for treatment of depression in patients who do not respond to standard antidepressants. 

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is an anesthetic medication that blocks pain. It also gives patients an out-of-body sensation, and it is this that led it to become a desirable party drug (sometimes called Special K) associated with substance abuse. 

The drug blocks the nmda receptors in the brain and also acts on other brain receptors, including opioid receptors, and Neuroscience research suggests these both play a role in depression. Intravenous ketamine is the most common method of delivery in a clinical setting and in some states in the US it can be administered at special clinics. 

The FDA has approved the drug for use in surgical or diagnostic procedures, but ketamine therapy may also have value as as a treatment for various mood disorders and conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, suicidal ideation (suicidal thoughts) and certain forms of chronic pain

Despite the antidepressant effects of ketamine, it is not yet approved for treating symptoms of depression. However, many doctors currently prescribe it "off-label" for that purpose despite potential thinking and memory concerns. 

Cost Vs Benefit 

Name brand SSRIs, the class of medication typically used to treat severe depression, can cost as much as $600 a month, formidable costs for people who require these medications just to function. However, sites like ModRN Health can help make your prescriptions more affordable. Simply type in the name of the medication you use, set your location, and find the most affordable prices near you.

But what about the cost of ketamine?

Ketamine infusion (intravenous ketamine) costs between $400 and $2000 per infusion, depending on the health care provider, location, ketamine dose, duration of infusion, and the condition being treated. Most ketamine infusions cost between $400 - $800 per treatment, with iv ketamine clinics typically performing a series of 6 treatments over 2 to 3 weeks. Some providers offer 4 treatments over 1 to 2 weeks.

For patients who haven’t found relief with other medications, the benefits of ketamine can be worth the high cost. For others, SSRIs remain an excellent and affordable course of treatment while they await advancements in ketamine delivery.

Find out how to make your prescriptions more affordable with help from ModRN Health . ModRN Health can help you save up to 80% on your medications. Simply search for your meds to find the best prices locally, right now.

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