Spravato®
For Treatment-Resistant Depression
SPRAVATO® is an FDA-approved nasal spray that can quickly improve the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression. At Lopez-Larson & Associates, we consider Spravato within the context of your holistic health to determine whether it’s right for you.
Don’t Let Depression Hold You Back
You might have treatment-resistant depression if you have tried at least two antidepressants without feeling adequate relief. It does not mean you have failed treatment or run out of options.
Lopez-Larson & Associates offers secondary treatment options, including Spravato, to help improve symptoms of treatment-resistant depression. Do not lose hope – our specialized team offers customized, holistic treatments plans to help your journey to a depression-free life!
Recent studies showed that 85% of Spravato patients experienced depression relief with long-lasting results and minimal or acceptable side-effects.1
How Does Spravato Treat Depression?
Spravato acts on the brain’s glutamate system, which helps repair or “rewire” damaged neural connections. This promotes neuroplasticity as the brain creates new connections and restores proper function in the areas that are affected most by stress and depression. This process is fundamentally different from traditional antidepressants.
Some people experience improvement in depressive symptoms as quickly as within 24 hours, but most patients can expect to experience noticeable improvement after the first two sessions.
What To Expect During Spravato Treatment
Spravato treatment is a nasal spray that is self-administered in a healthcare setting under direct supervision. It cannot be prescribed for you to take at home.
Before dosing, the care team checks your blood pressure and reviews how you are feeling. Afterward, you remain under observation for at least two hours, with monitoring of blood pressure, breathing and oxygen levels.
Arrange a ride home after your treatment sessions and plan to avoid driving or operating machinery for the rest of the day.
Treatment Plan and Progress
For treatment-resistant depression, the usual Spravato treatment course begins with two visits each week for four weeks, then once weekly during weeks five through eight.
At the end of the first four weeks, your clinician assesses whether the benefit supports continuing. Progress includes changes in mood and daily functioning, alongside side effects and symptom assessments.
Spravato Treatment Within a Broader Care Plan
Dr. Melissa Lopez-Larson is a psychiatrist trained in adult and child psychiatry. Her approach brings conventional psychiatric care and evidence-based complementary treatments together, tailored to the individual.
We combine psychiatric treatment with attention to sleep, nutrition, movement and mind-body practices. These supports are often part of a holistic care plan that includes Spravato. Although these additional practices don’t replace medical treatment or imply that depression is caused by lifestyle choice, they have shown to improve the overall outcome of our treatment plans for Depression.
A treatment discussion should address what you already take, what has helped even a little, and what remains difficult. Continuing therapy may still be valuable. Starting with a Careful Evaluation
Before treatment, your clinician reviews your diagnosis, medical history and previous medication trials. Bring a medication list, including supplements, and any records showing past doses and treatment duration.
Screening includes blood pressure, medication interactions and conditions that could make treatment unsafe. Tell your clinician about substance use, previous mania or psychosis, and whether you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Certain blood-vessel conditions, previous bleeding in the brain, allergies can rule out treatment.
Maintenance sessions may be needed after completing your initial treatment course when treatment helps. The frequency and duration depend on your needs.
Insurance, Costs and Planning Around Treatment
Insurance may cover Spravato, but coverage is not automatic. Plans can require prior authorization and documentation of previous antidepressant trials. Benefits may differ for the medication and the supervised treatment visit.
Before committing, ask about your insurance’s network status, deductibles, and copayments. Confirm coverage with your insurer rather than assuming an approval covers every charge.
The first month requires a substantial time commitment. Consider transportation and time away from work before scheduling, and ask the practice about appointment availability.
Spravato Success Stories
*Real patient success stories, shared by the makers of SPRAVATO®
Take the Next Step Toward Recovery
You do not need to feel certain about Spravato before asking about it. An evaluation is a chance to understand the potential benefits, the risks, and the practical commitment.
If it is not suitable, or does not help enough, we can address other treatment options to find a plan suitable to your needs.
SEE IF SPRAVATO IS RIGHT FOR YOU
Frequently Asked Questions About Spravato
Some people notice an improvement in depressive symptoms within 24 hours, but timing varies. Others need more time, and some do not respond. An early lift does not guarantee lasting relief, so your clinician will review your progress at the end of the first four weeks. That review looks at mood, daily functioning and side effects. If you also take an oral antidepressant, keep taking it as prescribed. Do not stop or change medication on your own. If the first weeks feel uncertain, that is a reasonable thing to bring up at your visits.
Expect a supervised visit that takes more than two hours in total. The care team checks your blood pressure, you self-administer the nasal spray, and then you are observed for at least two hours. You may feel dizzy, sleepy or a little detached from your surroundings. These effects usually pass during the observation period. Plan for a ride home and for time away from work or caregiving. You should not drive until the next day, after a restful night’s sleep. Ask your care team before the first visit what the experience may feel like.
No. Spravato is related to IVK, but the two are not interchangeable. Spravato contains esketamine and it is an FDA-approved nasal spray given with specific monitoring requirements. IVK is a different treatment with a different delivery method and different clinical framework. If you have tried or are considering IVK, tell your clinician. That history helps them understand your past care and explain how Spravato would differ.
Spravato is FDA-approved for depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder and acute suicidal thoughts or behavior, and it must be prescribed with an oral antidepressant. It has not been shown to prevent suicide or reduce suicidal thoughts or behavior, and it does not replace hospitalization when that is needed. If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 988 now. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. You do not have to wait for an appointment, and telling your clinician about these thoughts is part of getting safe care.
It may, but coverage is not automatic. Many plans require prior authorization and documentation of earlier antidepressant trials, so gather records of past medications, doses and how long you took them. Coverage can also differ for the medication and for the supervised treatment visit. Before you start, ask your insurer about network status, deductible, copayments and the cost of observation. Then confirm with the practice what to expect. Approval for the medication does not necessarily mean every charge is covered.
Common side effects can include dizziness, nausea, sleepiness, anxiety and a feeling of spinning. Blood pressure can rise temporarily.
Some people experience dissociation. It can feel like floating, being far away from your surroundings, or watching the room from a slight distance, and sounds or sights may seem altered. This rarely lasts beyond two hours, but it can still be unsettling the first time. Ask the care team to explain what you might feel before your first dose, and tell them promptly if you feel unwell.
Please tell your clinician about any history of substance use. You will not be judged, and it helps your clinician assess risk. You should also report worsening depression or new suicidal thoughts promptly, including between appointments.