What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Esketamine and ketamine
Esketamine's FDA label of March 31, 2026 names ketamine in its contraindications section; the ketamine label PlainMeds reads does not name esketamine. The esketamine label: “… arteriovenous malformation History of intracerebral hemorrhage Hypersensitivity to esketamine, ketamine, or any of the excipients.”
Check it at the source: the esketamine FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 31, 2026, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.); the ketamine FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 27, 2026, Par Health USA, LLC).
What does the esketamine label say about ketamine?
Esketamine label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS SPRAVATO is contraindicated in patients with: Aneurysmal vascular disease (including thoracic and abdominal aorta, intracranial, and peripheral arterial vessels) or arteriovenous malformation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] History of intracerebral hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Hypersensitivity to esketamine, ketamine, or any of the excipients.
Esketamine label, warnings and precautionsBased on published findings from pregnant animals treated with ketamine, the racemic mixture of arketamine and esketamine, SPRAVATO may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women.
Source: FDA drug label (Spravato), Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., effective March 31, 2026 (SPL set d81a6a79-a74a-44b7-822c-0dfa3036eaed), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the ketamine label say about esketamine?
Ketamine's label (effective March 27, 2026) does not name esketamine in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
Source: FDA drug label (Ketalar), Par Health USA, LLC, effective March 27, 2026 (SPL set 14e8f864-8b8a-4e7e-8439-e510d3107063), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Esketamine | Ketamine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | n/a | n/a |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $429.98 per unit 84 mg dose pack | $0.556 per mL 500 mg/10 mL vial |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once