What Is It Like to Take Spravato?

If you have been diagnosed with or have symptoms of depression or drug abuse, then Spravato® may be right for you. Spravato utilizes nasal esketamine to treat patients with clinical depression, treatment-resistant depression, drug use disorder, and drug addiction.

What is Spravato?

Spravato (esketamine) is a brand-name drug that is used to treat major depressive disorder, also called MDD, and clinical depression. This FDA-approved drug is administered in the form of a nasal spray. It is prescribed in conjunction with an oral antidepressant. It is most often recommended when antidepressant medication alone is not enough to treat the symptoms of depression.

How the Spravato treatment process works

The treatment process with Spravato looks different for every patient. However, there are certain expectations that you can have before treatment starts. The following is a review of Spravato, specifically as it relates to what you can expect as a patient before, during, and after each treatment session.

Before Spravato

Spravato is typically utilized along with other depression or drug use disorder treatments. Most notably, Spravato is taken in conjunction with oral antidepressants and psychotherapy treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, support groups, and family therapy. Before treatment with Spravato begins, the psychiatrist will put together a detailed plan of how all of the treatments are utilized together. This comes after an official diagnosis. The psychiatrist and their staff can also answer questions to help the patient feel more comfortable and prepared for Spravato treatment.

How Spravato is taken

According to the Spravato website, the Spravato nasal spray is administered by the patient under the supervision of the healthcare provider. The healthcare provider can show how to use the nasal spray and will give instructions for how much to use. Before arriving at each Spravato treatment session, it is important to arrange for a ride home after treatment. This is because there are certain side effects such as increased blood pressure and problems thinking clearly that may make it more difficult and less safe to drive. If you have to miss a Spravato treatment session, be sure to notify the healthcare provider as soon as possible to make the necessary arrangements.

After a Spravato session

As mentioned, ensuring that you have a way to safely get home after each treatment is important. The healthcare provider will also need to manage the side effects after treatment inside the office. This ensures the patient is able to promptly get the treatment they need for the side effects before they worsen or linger. On average, patients are asked to remain in the office for monitoring between one and two hours after each Spravato nasal spray treatment session. Many patients see results from Spravato right away, whereas others may gradually see their mood improve.

Possible Spravato side effects

As mentioned, several common side effects are increased blood pressure and an inability to think as clearly as before treatment. Other possible side effects include but are not limited to bladder problems, sedation, dissociation, and suicidal thoughts. Of course, these side effects are not always present or severe in instances where they do develop.

When to consider Spravato treatment for depression

As mentioned, Spravato is recommended for individuals who are diagnosed with major depressive disorder (clinical depression) or treatment-resistant depression. In simpler terms, Sprvato is recommended for those who have not seen desirable results from antidepressants alone.

Spravato is recommended along with a more comprehensive treatment plan. Most treatment plans include continuing to take antidepressants as prescribed and continually working on lifestyle factors that may help with depression symptoms; psychotherapy is also commonly recommended to treat clinical depression as well. It is best to work with a licensed mental health therapist to put together a treatment plan that works best.

The benefits of Spravato treatment for depression

Spravato has helped many individuals alleviate their symptoms of depression when antidepressant medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle improvements have not worked. Spravato is a safe medication when provided in a controlled and professionally monitored environment. It is also non-invasive; in fact, many patients find the experience to be comforting and pleasant, and Spravato sessions are often something that patients look forward to having.

Schedule a consultation to discuss Spravato treatment

If you would like to learn more during a consultation for Spravato treatment, then get in touch with us today by phone or by email. Our team is friendly and enjoys helping individuals within our community find relief from depression, drug abuse, and related conditions.

Get more information here: https://mb.futurepsychsolutions.com or call Future Psych Ketamine Clinics at (843) 788-9718.

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