SPRAVATO® Treatment for Depression

Depression does not always improve with the first medication, or even the second. For people living with persistent symptoms, SPRAVATO® (esketamine) may be an option to discuss with a psychiatrist. SPRAVATO® is an FDA-approved nasal spray used in adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), and it may be used with or without an oral antidepressant. It is also approved, with an oral antidepressant, for depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder who have acute suicidal ideation or behavior.

Who May Be a Candidate for SPRAVATO®

SPRAVATO® is generally considered for adults whose depression has not responded well enough to standard treatment, including people who have tried other depression medicines without enough benefit. FDA notes that esketamine should be used only in patients who have tried other depression medicines that did not work for them.

It is not a medication for children, and it is not approved as an anesthetic. It also has not been shown to prevent suicide or replace hospitalization when a higher level of care is needed.

What Treatment Looks Like

SPRAVATO® is not taken at home. It must be administered in a certified healthcare setting, such as IKARE Mood, Trauma, and Recovery clinic, where the patient self-administers the nasal spray under supervision. After treatment, patients are observed for at least 2 hours before leaving. Because of temporary effects on alertness and coordination, patients should not drive or operate machinery until the next day after a restful sleep.

Why Patients Ask About SPRAVATO®

Many people ask about SPRAVATO® because they are looking for something different after trying standard antidepressants without enough relief. For some patients, it can be part of a broader treatment plan that includes medication management, psychotherapy, sleep support, and close psychiatric follow-up.

Is SPRAVATO® Right for You?

Before starting treatment, your psychiatrist will review your depression history, medical history, current medications, blood pressure, pregnancy status, and any history of substance use or certain medical conditions.

Take the Next Step

If you have been struggling with depression and standard treatments have not helped enough, SPRAVATO® may be worth discussing. Our clinic offers SPRAVATO® treatment in a supervised medical setting as part of a personalized psychiatric care plan.

Call our office today to schedule a consultation and find out whether SPRAVATO® is right for you.