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 U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded approval for Johnson & Johnson’s nasal spray, Spravato, to allow it to be used as a standalone treatment for patients with severe depression, the company said on Tuesday.

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.

The FDA approved esketamine (Spravato) nasal spray as monotherapy for adults with treatment-resistant depression who had an inadequate response to at least two oral antidepressants, maker Johnson & Johnson announced on Tuesday.

CIII nasal spray, marking the first monotherapy to be approved for adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). According to the company, approval was supported by a pivotal placebo-controlled study in which Spravato demonstrated rapid and superior improvements in depressive symptoms as early as 24 hours,

The FDA has approved esketamine (Spravato) nasal spray as a monotherapy for adults with treatment-resistant depression. This approval applies to individuals who have had an inadequate response

The announcement was welcome news for those with major depressive disorder, which affects an estimated 8.3% of the adult population.

Spravato, okayed for stand-alone use among adults, is the first such therapy for major depressive disorder (MDD) that is difficult to treat.