Esketamine is a prescription-only medication in Australia. It may be considered for certain mental health conditions when assessed by an appropriately qualified clinician. 

Esketamine therapy may be considered for adults diagnosed with major depressive disorder who have not experienced sufficient improvement from previous antidepressant treatments. Eligibility is determined by a registered practitioner based on individual clinical circumstances. 

When a registered practitioner determines that Esketamine may be appropriate, it is administered as a supervised nasal spray in a clinical setting. Individuals are monitored during and after each session according to clinical guidelines. 

No. Esketamine is not considered a first-line treatment. It is generally explored only after other treatments have been trialled without sufficient response and a practitioner has assessed it may be suitable. 

Appointments may include supervised administration of the medication followed by a period of observation in the clinical setting. This allows the registered practitioner to monitor the individual in accordance with clinical protocols.

The number of sessions is determined by the registered practitioner based on the individual’s clinical assessment and ongoing monitoring.