Truman VA Completes 1,500 Esketamine Treatments for Veterans with Severe Depression

Of the 170 medical centers within the Veterans Health Administration, Truman VA is one of 43 that offers esketamine therapy. However, only two other VHA facilities have reached the 1,500-treatment milestone.

“Esketamine is one of the most effective FDA-approved antidepressant therapies available today,” said Sarah Canoy, MD, a psychiatrist at Truman VA. “Its use is especially effective for those experiencing treatment-resistant depression. Since we began offering this option in 2022, we have been able to increase its availability to our Veterans, especially after we opened a new dedicated treatment room in January 2024.”

At Truman VA, esketamine is administered under the supervision of our trained clinicians. The therapy is delivered via an intranasal device in the form of a spray. Patients are treated in a clinic setting where they are observed by our medical team for two hours. After the two-hour monitoring period, they are cleared prior to discharge with approved transportation. 

“Typically, esketamine treatments are given twice a week for the first month per protocol,” Canoy said. “If the patient's symptoms improve, treatments are continued. The frequency of the maintenance phase is based on the patient's response to the medication and the continued improvement of depressive symptoms."

“For people who haven’t had success with other antidepressant therapies, esketamine may be another tool that offers them a chance to see what it’s like to have significantly reduced or no depression,” Canoy said. “It also provides positive reinforcement that they can feel better with the right treatment. I’m very happy and excited that we can provide this level of care for our Veterans.”