What is Spravato?
Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray medication used in conjunction with an oral antidepressant to treat adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder with suicidal thoughts or actions.
How Does Spravato Work?
Spravato targets the NMDA receptor in the brain, a different mechanism than traditional antidepressants. It helps restore synaptic connections in brain areas affected by stress and depression, often providing faster symptom relief.
Treatment Process
- Administered in-office under medical supervision due to potential side effects.
- Sessions occur twice weekly for the first 4 weeks, then once weekly or biweekly based on your response.
- Each session lasts about 2 hours, including monitoring before and after the dose.
- You cannot drive after treatment—arrange transportation home.
Who Can Benefit from Spravato?
Spravato is intended for patients who:
- Have not responded to two or more antidepressants
- Are diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD)
- May experience suicidal thoughts, in combination with a comprehensive treatment plan
Benefits of Spravato
- Rapid symptom improvement, often within the first few treatments
- May help where other antidepressants have failed
- Can reduce suicidal thinking in crisis situations
Possible Side Effects
- Dizziness or sedation
- Nausea
- Blood pressure increase (temporary)
- Dissociation or disorientation during the session
All patients are monitored on-site by medical staff for at least 2 hours post-dose to ensure safety.
Important Safety Notes
Spravato is only available through a certified REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program. It must be administered at a certified treatment center like Reverence Behavioral Health Services. Patients must be enrolled in the program before starting treatment.
Contact Us
Reverence Behavioral Health Services
28375 Davis Parkway, Warrenville, IL 60555
Website: www.reverencebhs.com
Phone: (312) 471-1639
Email: info@reverencebhs.com