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TL;DR: If you are asking what is Spravato, it is an FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray used with an oral antidepressant to treat adults with treatment-resistant depression and, in some cases, depressive symptoms with suicidal thoughts or actions. This blog explains how Spravato works, who may qualify for treatment, what happens during supervised appointments, and how it compares with traditional antidepressants that can take weeks to provide relief.
- What is Spravato: A prescription esketamine nasal spray derived from ketamine for hard-to-treat depression.
- Who it may help: Adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved after trying at least two antidepressants.
- How treatment works: Patients self-administer in a clinic and stay for monitoring for two hours after each session.
- Why it stands out: It may work faster than standard oral antidepressants by targeting different brain pathways.
- What to expect: Providers review side effects, REMS safety requirements, and transportation needs before treatment begins.
SPRAVATO – FDA Approves Esketamine Nasal Spray for Hard-To-Treat Depression
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is one of the most common mental health disorders among adults in the United States today, and a leading cause of both prescription drug usage and disability claims. An estimated 17 million adults have at least one significant depressive episode every year, over 7% of the population of the United States. The percentage increases to over 13% when the age range narrows to adults aged 18-25. (Source: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml)
For nearly three decades (since the late 1980s), individuals with significant depressive symptoms or clinical depression have been treated with a class of prescription drugs commonly called “oral antidepressants”. In fact, there are a number of different types of antidepressants such as SSRIs (Prozac and Zoloft), SNRIs (Cymbalta and Effexor XR), MAOIs (Nardil and Marplan), and others such as Wellbutrin and Tofranil, to name just a few. Yet while the wide range of different types and formulations of antidepressants enable some patients to find one that works for them, antidepressants have significant limitations for many patients, including the length of time it takes for antidepressants to “kick in” as well as a long list of negative side effects. Most problematic, however, is that for many patients, antidepressants simply don’t work.
SPRAVATO™ Ketamine offers new hope to patients who have not found relief from depression from traditional antidepressants. The first ketamine-based treatment for depression to receive FDA approval, SPRAVATO™ is an esketamine nasal spray, a derivative of ketamine, a well-known, powerful, and highly effective anesthetic. It is designed for patients with treatment-resistant depression, in other words, for patients who have tried two or more different antidepressants (in appropriate dosages and durations) without positive results.
So, what is esketamine and what is SPRAVATO treatment? SPRAVATO™ is specifically designed for treating depression, particularly in patients with major depressive disorder MDD who have not responded to at least two different oral antidepressants. It is also used in certain cases involving suicidal ideation or behavior, offering a fast-acting option for patients in crisis.
I suffer from clinical depression. Should I try SPRAVATO™?
If you suffer from a major depressive disorder (MDD) and have tried at least two different types of traditional antidepressants without relief from depressive symptoms, SPRAVATO™ may offer a more effective treatment option. Understanding what is Spravato for can help determine if this treatment is right for you; it is primarily used for treatment-resistant depression and in some cases for patients experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Spravato is an option for patients; however, the success rates are not as high as Ketamine Infusion Therapy since it’s a nasal spray. This nasal treatment is designed to be administered two times per week for a period of four weeks, then one time per week for an additional four weeks. If effective, SPRAVATO™ can then be taken once a week or once every two weeks, depending on effectiveness.
Clinical studies involving SPRAVATO™ are now showing what many physicians have known for quite some time: that low dose ketamine, or esketamine in the SPRAVATO™ formulation, offers fast-acting and highly effective relief from depressive symptoms. At four weeks, patients utilizing SPRAVATO™ demonstrated fewer depressive symptoms than those patients who utilized a placebo (both in conjunction with the use of a daily oral antidepressant).
Moreover, while SPRAVATO™ does carry a risk of side effects, like all medications, those side effects were less severe and disruptive than some potential side effects of antidepressants. However, patients should be aware of possible side effects such as sedation, dissociation, dizziness, and temporary increases in blood pressure. To continue managing known and potential side effects of SPRAVATO™, all patients seeking to start treatment will be enrolled in a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Study (REMS), required by the FDA.
While the nasal spray is self-administered, it must be administered while in the clinic and while under the close supervision of a healthcare professional. Once you administer the spray, a healthcare professional will monitor you closely for two hours to watch for any negative side effects. It is important to note that you will need to plan transportation to and from each SPRAVATO™ treatment, as you cannot drive or operate machinery until the next day. During your initial consultation, your healthcare professional will help you understand what to expect during a typical treatment session and how to prepare; it’s important at this time to inform your provider about all medications, including any over-the-counter medications, that you are currently taking.
If you are suffering from depression and are among the 30% of individuals who have not found relief from traditional antidepressants, ketamine-based treatment options may be the right solution for you. We encourage you to contact us for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions About SPRAVATO (Esketamine)
What is esketamine?
Esketamine is a fast-acting medication derived from ketamine and used in an FDA-approved nasal spray to treat severe depression, especially when other treatments have failed.
What is SPRAVATO treatment?
SPRAVATO treatment involves administering esketamine nasal spray in a clinical setting under supervision. It is combined with oral antidepressants to enhance effectiveness.
What is SPRAVATO for?
SPRAVATO is used for treating depression in adults with treatment-resistant depression and in some cases, those experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
How is esketamine nasal spray different from traditional antidepressants?
Unlike oral antidepressants that may take weeks to work, esketamine nasal spray can provide relief more quickly by targeting different pathways in the brain.
Are there side effects?
Yes, potential side effects include sedation, dissociation, dizziness, and temporary cognitive changes. Because of these risks, treatment is always supervised by medical professionals.
For more information about Ketamine Infusion Therapy treatments for depression, bipolar, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), fibromyalgia, pain syndromes and other conditions contact us at Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles in Southern California (Orange County) by clicking here https://ketamineclinics.com/consultation or calling 310-270-0625.