Esketamine-Induced Dissociation: A Case Report

Esketamine, the isolated S-enantiomer of ketamine, has been a recent breakthrough as a non-monoaminergic treatment for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This case report explores a rare adverse event in a 41-year-old female with TRD, who, despite experiencing significant depressive improvement with esketamine, encountered a severe dissociative episode accompanied by hallucinogenic-like phenomena. While esketamine's efficacy in TRD is well-documented, this pronounced dissociation should be taken into consideration by researchers and clinicians before prescribing. As esketamine continues to aid TRD treatment, comprehension of its safety profile becomes essential for informed decision-making, ensuring optimized patient care in the vast development of antidepressant therapies.