What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-Blood vessel disease (including in the brain, chest, arms, legs, or other areas of the body)
-Dementia
-Heart disease
-High blood pressure
-History of bleeding in the brain
-History of head injury
-History of heart attack
-History of irregular heartbeat
-History of stroke
-History of substance use disorder
-Liver disease
-Schizophrenia or other thought disorder
-Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt by you or a family member
-An unusual or allergic reaction to esketamine, ketamine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breastfeeding
What may interact with this medication?
-Alcohol
-Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam
-Certain antihistamines
-Certain medications for anxiety or sleep
-Certain medications for depression, such as amitriptyline or trazodone
-Certain medications for seizures, such as phenobarbital or primidone
-Ketamine
-MAOIs, such as Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
-Medications that cause drowsiness before a procedure, such as propofol
-Medications that help you fall asleep
-Medications that relax muscles
-Opioids for pain or cough
-Phenothiazines, such as chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
-Stimulant medications for ADHD, weight loss, or staying awake
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.
Your care team will monitor you for serious side effects for at least 2 hours after taking this medication. Tell your care team right away if you feel like you cannot stay awake or if you feel like you are going to pass out.
This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.
This medication has a risk of abuse and dependence. Your care team will check you for this while you take this medication.
Talk to your care team if you may be pregnant. Serious birth defects can occur if you take this medication during pregnancy.
Do not breastfeed while taking this medication.
What are the most serious risks of this medication?
This medication may increase thoughts of suicide. This may be more common in children, teenagers, and young adults. The risk may increase after first starting the medication and after dose changes. Talk to your care team right away if you have changes in mood and behavior or thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
This medicine can cause deadly breathing problems.
Using this medicine, even when using it as directed, can lead to misuse, abuse, or addiction. Misuse, abuse, or addiction can result in overdose and death.
This medicine can decrease alertness and coordination. Do not drive a car, use heavy machinery, or perform other activities that require you to be fully awake until the day after treatment and you have had a restful sleep. If you have confusion, unusual or disturbing thoughts, a depressed mood, or other unusual changes in mood or behaviors, you should notify your healthcare provider immediately.
This medicine can make you feel disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, and your feelings, or alter your sense of space and time. You will be closely monitored for at least 2 hours after each treatment. If you experience these symptoms or have other unusual feelings or behaviors, tell your healthcare provider immediately.