Johnson And Johnson's Antidepressant Nasal Spray For Suicidal People Gets US Regulatory Nod

Spravato, an antidepressant nasal spray by Johnson & Johnson said to be the first antidepressant supplement intended specifically to help treat acutely suicidal patients has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to the company, the nasal spray should be taken with an oral antidepressant, to treat depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) with acute suicidal ideation or behavior.

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Spravato is the first and only approved medication that has been shown to reduce depressive symptoms within 24 hours, “providing a new option for significant symptom relief until a longer-term, comprehensive treatment plan can take effect.”

Theresa Nguyen, Chief Program Officer for Mental Health America, called the quick-acting formula “potentially life changing” because traditional oral antidepressants often need weeks or more to take effect.

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“Many people who live with depression know all too well the feeling of desperation. If that major depression progresses to active suicidal thoughts, it’s crushing, and they need options to help change the trajectory of their acute depressive episode,” Nguyen said.

The company has claimed that Spravato has been used by about 6,000 people for treatment-resistant depression since its approval in March 2019.

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and the condition most frequently associated with suicide MDD is a serious disease that causes a significant, negative impact on the way people think, feel and act.?

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Symptoms and severity vary by person and may include persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness or tension; changes in sleep or appetite; difficulty concentrating or performing activities of daily living; lack of interest; and thoughts of harming themselves.