Spravato
Rapid-acting treatment for treatment resistant depression and depressive symptoms with suicidal thoughts.
At Mind Matters Mental Health, we take an integrated, whole person approach to care, combining medication management, therapy, and lifestyle support to address your unique needs. Spravato is offered when appropriate as part of a broader treatment plan for depression, especially when other options have not provided enough relief. Our providers carefully evaluate each patient, monitor progress throughout treatment, and adjust care plans as needed to ensure safety and effectiveness. We work in partnership with patients to promote lasting emotional and mental wellness. Evaluations and follow-up care can be scheduled in person at our office or through telehealth for patients across Ohio, while Spravato itself is always administered in our clinical setting. Schedule an appointment with our psychiatry team to discuss your options with Spravato.
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What is Spravato?
Spravato (esketamine) is a nasal spray approved by the FDA for adults with treatment resistant depression and for depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder who have suicidal thoughts or actions. It is a chemically related form of ketamine and is prescribed when standard antidepressants and therapies have not provided sufficient relief.
Spravato works by modulating the brain's glutamate system and blocking NMDA receptors, which may lead to rapid shifts in neural circuits tied to mood and thought.
How Does Spravato Work?
Spravato acts on the brain's glutamate system, specifically targeting NMDA receptors. This action increases the release of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports new neural connections and may rapidly improve mood and thought patterns. Unlike traditional antidepressants that affect serotonin or norepinephrine,
Spravato works through a different pathway that can produce effects within hours. Good candidates are adults evaluated by a qualified provider who have not responded adequately to other treatments for depression. Suitability is based on medical history, age, other health conditions, and current medications. Provider evaluation helps ensure safety and determine whether
Spravato is appropriate.
When & How Spravato Is Used
Spravato is typically used to treat treatment resistant depression and major depressive disorder with suicidal thoughts or actions. It is delivered as a nasal spray in a certified clinical setting under medical supervision, and patients are monitored after each dose before they are cleared to leave. Dosing varies based on patient response and tolerance; the starting dose is determined by the provider and may be adjusted over time to maintain effectiveness and minimize side effects.
Spravato is given on a structured schedule, often twice weekly during the first month and then weekly or every other week, and all treatment is administered and monitored by our clinical team to ensure safety and proper care.
Benefits of Spravato - What to Expect
Many patients experience relief from depressive symptoms, improved mood stability, and better daily functioning after starting treatment with
Spravato. Some individuals notice positive changes within hours or days, though response time and results vary from person to person. While
Spravato can provide rapid symptom relief, it works best as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. At Mind Matters Mental Health,
Spravato is integrated with therapy and ongoing
psychiatric care to support lasting improvement in mood, coping skills, and overall wellbeing.
Side Effects & Risk Considerations
Common side effects include temporary dissociation, dizziness, nausea, headache, sedation, and short term increases in blood pressure that typically resolve soon after treatment. Because Spravato can cause sedation and dissociation, patients are monitored in the office and are not permitted to drive home afterward, so please arrange for a ride.
Spravato carries a boxed warning for sedation, dissociation, and misuse and abuse, and it may not be suitable for individuals with certain heart conditions, uncontrolled hypertension, a history of aneurysmal vascular disease or arteriovenous malformation, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
This information is for general awareness and is not a substitute for medical advice - always consult your provider for guidance.
