Efficacy and safety of esketamine nasal spray in addition to standard of care in patients with major depressive disorder who have active suicidal ideation with intent: A subgroup analysis of the Asian cohort of ASPIRE I (a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study)

Asia Pac Psychiatry. 2023 Dec;15(4):e12548. doi: 10.1111/appy.12548. Epub 2023 Sep 28.

Abstract

This post-hoc analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of intranasal esketamine in the Asian subgroup from ASPIRE I. Patients with major depressive disorder and suicidal ideation with intent received intranasal esketamine (n = 26) or placebo (n = 27), plus standard of care for 25 days. The primary endpoint was the change in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score from baseline to Day 2. The MADRS score improved in favor of esketamine (least squares mean difference: -3.8). No unexpected safety concerns were noted. The Asian subgroup showed a similar efficacy and safety profile as the total ASPIRE I cohort.

Keywords: Asian; intranasal esketamine; major depressive disorder; suicide.

MeSH terms

  • Antidepressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Depressive Disorder, Major* / drug therapy
  • Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant* / drug therapy
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Humans
  • Nasal Sprays
  • Standard of Care
  • Suicidal Ideation
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Esketamine
  • Nasal Sprays

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