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* Esketamine treatment is intended for situations where depression has not improved with conventional treatments. * The treatment is carried out safely under the supervision of a professional, and its effects are regularly monitored. * The goal is to alleviate depression symptoms, support functional capacity, and improve quality of life.
Revised 8/20/2026
Published 8/19/2026
First mental well-being consultation EUR 89
Take an easy first step to mental well-being services. You can make an appointment quickly – without a referral.
Concern chat
Discussion support for stress and coping around the clock.
Kela-reimbursed rehabilitative psychotherapy
Psychotherapy service based on a psychiatrist’s assessment and granted by Kela for maintaining and rebuilding working and studying ability.
Psychotherapist
Provides treatment based on discussion and functional methods, which aims to improve mental well-being.
Esketamine treatment is a nasal spray therapy for severe depression. It affects central nervous system neurotransmitters, particularly NMDA receptors, and can rapidly alleviate depressive symptoms.
The treatment is intended for situations where other forms of depression treatment, such as several pharmacotherapies and psychotherapy, have not produced a sufficient response. The goal of the treatment is to achieve remission, i.e., a state free or almost free of depressive symptoms.
Esketamine treatment can offer significant benefits in the treatment of severe depression:
Before starting treatment, the psychiatrist will assess your situation and ensure that the treatment is suitable for you. The assessment and preparation for treatment may include:
Esketamine treatment is generally not suitable if you have
Treatment cannot be carried out during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Before administering the medication, it is advisable to avoid eating for two hours, consuming liquids for 30 minutes, and using other nasal spray medications for one hour. Also avoid caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, energy drinks, and colas before the treatment visit. It is also advisable to avoid smoking and other nicotine products, as they can raise blood pressure.
However, you do not need to come to the treatment completely without eating or hungry. It is recommended to use the toilet before administering the medication.
If you wish, you can bring the following to your treatment session:
Esketamine treatment is carried out at Mehiläinen according to an individual treatment plan. The treatment begins with outpatient visits after a psychiatrist's assessment, where you administer the medication yourself under the supervision of a nurse.
You buy the medicine from the pharmacy, after which the pharmacy delivers it directly to the care facility. During the validity of the pharmacy agreement, any CNS drugs, such as benzodiazepines or sleeping pills, will also be delivered through the same pharmacy.
The treatment is carried out twice a week under the supervision of a nurse. You administer the medicine yourself into each nostril. During the treatment, your well-being and possible side effects are monitored. After administering the medicine, the follow-up period is usually 60–90 minutes.
The treatment is given once a week or every other week according to a plan drawn up by a psychiatrist. The treatment interval can be reduced based on the patient's condition and treatment response. The goal is to achieve a state free or almost free of depressive symptoms and to maintain the achieved treatment outcome.
The psychiatrist assesses the effects of the treatment and the follow-up plan usually at 1, 3, and 6 months from the start of treatment. At approximately seven months, the treatment ends or continues as possible maintenance therapy according to an individualized plan.
After the treatment, you can go home if your condition is stable and any adverse symptoms have sufficiently subsided. On the day of treatment, it is good to consider the following: *
After the treatment, it is important to follow the instructions you have received. After the end of the treatment or the reduction of treatment intervals, follow-up continues according to the agreed plan.
The price of esketamine treatment consists of an assessment visit and treatment visits, as well as service fees added to the visits. The price of the entire treatment period is determined individually according to the number of realized treatment sessions. You will always receive an individualized treatment plan and cost estimate from our treating specialist.
The total cost of the six-month treatment period is approximately 7700 €, including psychiatrist's assessment appointments, medication costs reimbursed by Kela, and treatment appointments.
Kela may grant limited basic reimbursement (40 %) or special reimbursement (100 %) for the medication under certain conditions. Once Kela has granted medication reimbursement, the patient will pay a maximum of the annual out-of-pocket maximum, or medication ceiling, per year.
Read more about Kela's medication ceiling
You can also apply for an interest-free medication loan from Kela to spread out the annual out-of-pocket maximum.
The price of a B-statement prepared by a psychiatrist for medication reimbursement is 137–227 euros, according to the psychiatrist's price list.
Assessment appointments: The price of assessment appointments is 314.10 € – 402.10 € according to the psychiatrist's price list. During the appointments, a psychiatrist specialized in esketamine treatment assesses the suitability of the treatment and draws up an individual treatment plan and a statement on Kela's drug reimbursement. There can be several assessment and preparation appointments, usually at least two.
Treatment appointment: The price of one standard treatment appointment is 258 €.
Service fees: The Kela reimbursement portion has been deducted from the prices. The price also includes any Kanta or outpatient fee.
The psychiatrist usually performs assessments of the treatment's effects 1, 3, and 6 months after starting the treatment. The price of the appointments is determined according to the psychiatrist's price list.
For trips to the treatment location, you can apply for travel reimbursement from Kela under certain conditions.
Payment methods: Thanks to our flexible payment methods, you can quickly access esketamine treatment and pay for the treatment, for example, in installments.
If you are an insurance or occupational health customer, the psychiatrist will draw up the necessary documents for the insurance company during the assessment appointment, and you do not need to handle the matter in advance.
Anorexia
Psychological and physical factors affect the development of an eating disorder.
Anxiety and anxiety disorder
The symptoms can be caused by stress, lifestyle changes or brain neurotransmitters.
Binge-eating disorder (BED)
Anxiety and depression are common root causes behind the symptoms.
Bulimia
The symptoms stem from the need to control one’s eating and body image.
Chronic fatigue i.e. exhaustion
Fatigue can be caused by physical or mental strain and stress.
Eating disorders
Professional help for eating disorders.
Stress
Prolonged stress without sufficient recovery can impair health and functional capacity.
Concern chat
Discussion support for stress and coping around the clock.
First mental well-being consultation EUR 89
Take an easy first step to mental well-being services. You can make an appointment quickly – without a referral.
Kela-reimbursed rehabilitative psychotherapy
Psychotherapy service based on a psychiatrist’s assessment and granted by Kela for maintaining and rebuilding working and studying ability.
Psychotherapist
Provides treatment based on discussion and functional methods, which aims to improve mental well-being.
Esketamine is a medicinal substance used as a nasal spray for the treatment of severe treatment-resistant depression. It directly affects brain function and its chemical messages, which can lead to a rapid treatment response.
Yes, esketamine has proven effective in treating treatment-resistant depression when used in conjunction with an antidepressant. Studies have shown it to significantly reduce depressive symptoms.
After the administration of esketamine, temporary side effects may occur, such as increased blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, headache, fatigue, or abnormal sensory experiences. Some may also experience a momentary feeling of detachment from themselves or their surroundings.
Not everyone experiences side effects, and they are usually mild and transient. Side effects often decrease as the treatment course progresses and usually disappear within an hour.
A nurse will monitor your well-being throughout the treatment visit, and blood pressure will be measured several times to ensure the safety of the treatment.
Recovering from severe depression without treatment is rare. The right treatment can alleviate symptoms, support functional capacity, and prevent the depression from becoming prolonged.
The costs of esketamine treatment vary individually depending on the dosage, the number of treatment sessions, and the reimbursement granted by Kela. The total cost for a six-month treatment period is approximately 7700 €, including psychiatrist's assessment appointments, the cost of the medication reimbursed by Kela, and treatment appointments.
