New Hope for Depression: FDA Will Approve Nasal Ketamine Spray

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) –

The FDA could soon approve a unique treatment for depression, a version of a drug that some people use to get high: ketamine.

This would be the first new therapy in three decades.

Depression affects millions of Americans and for many traditional antidepressants do not work.

This could help a lot of people. However, the drug also presents potential risks.

Years ago, he was known as Special K, a festive drug, so he could be abused in the wrong hands.

However, some doctors are already offering similar therapy – ketamine infusions – to patients willing to pay out of pocket.

I spoke to a young man who told me that it helped him.

"It was a very scary time for me and my family," says a 25-year-old student who calls him Matt.

Last October, he fell into a very deep and dark depression.

"It's a feeling of desperation, of desperation, to really fear that nothing is going well for you," he recalls sharply.

Matt has bipolar disorder. Medications that have helped in the past have stopped working.

He even considered suicide.

While searching the Internet, he learned about the existence of ketamine, which led to Actify Neurotherapies.

Dr. Steve Levine, Actify's founding psychiatrist, began offering ketamine infusions to treat depression in 2011, with remarkable results.

"People who have been hospitalized several times have improved significantly in a much shorter time frame than with traditional antidepressants," says Dr. Levine.

Her success with private practice ketamine led to the creation of Actify, which has 9 clinics coast to coast.

Other therapies work by stimulating serotonin. Ketamine acts on another neurotransmitter, glutamate, which repairs damaged pathways.

"As December progressed and I received 6 injections from Actify, things kept improving," Matt says.

Ketamine is approved by the FDA at higher doses as anesthetic during surgery.

Infusions for depression are what is known as "improper use". give an approved drug for a different reason.

On March 4, the FDA is expected to approve a similar treatment, esketamine, administered by nasal spray. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a division of Johnson and Johnson, says it will be sold under the brand name Spravato.

However, there are concerns. Ketamine was once a club drug known as K. Special, popular for triggering out-of-body experiences.

During an infusion, patients may experience similar, but mild effects.

"You actually have beautiful bright dreams unfolding while you are fully aware that you are awake," Matt said.

Dr. Levine says that the risk of abuse is not taken lightly.

"That's why it's extremely important to select the right patients and administer that in a carefully supervised medical environment," he says, recalling the infusions Matt received from Actify.

Matt is still working on his mental health but feels lucky to have found ketamine.

"I would say it makes a huge difference, absolutely," he notes.

If the nasal spray version is approved, insurance companies could start covering part of the costs, which would open the door to more people.

It will only be recommended for people who have tried at least two other treatments for depression.

And this will have to be given to a doctor. Patients could not give it to themselves.