A nasal spray that contains esketamine — a potent derivative of ketamine — can now be taken on its own to treat adults with severe depression, the FDA says. Here's what that means.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the nasal spray Spravato for the treatment of major depression in people who have not responded to at least two oral antidepressants.

Johnson & Johnson has announced the FDA’s approval of a first-of-its-kind, esketamine nasal spray called Spravato for the standalone treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), PTSD, and similar psychiatric conditions.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first-ever stand-alone nasal spray to treat drug-resistant depression. Johnson & Johnson's Spravato was approved to treat a major depressive disorder,

The expanded indication allows esketamine nasal spray to be used as a standalone treatment in adults with MDD who have not responded to at least two oral antidepressants.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Johnson & Johnson's nasal spray, Spravato (esketamine), as the first standalone therapy for adults suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) who have not responded adequately to at least two oral antidepressants.

Fact checked by Nick Blackmer The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded its approval of a ketamine nasal spray, Spravato (esketamine), as a standalone therapy for adults with treatment-resistant depression.

CIII allows people who have tried at least two oral antidepressants to use the spray on its own – without the need for more medication.