Spravato: A Groundbreaking Therapy for Treatment Resistant Depression
Depression is a life-altering condition that can affect anyone, despite age. It is a serious mental health condition that has an impact on how you feel, think, and function in daily life. Ongoing sadness or hopelessness, loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, trouble sleeping, change in appetite or weight, all could be symptoms of depression. If not treated, depression can change your life significantly.
If you have been undergoing treatment for depression but have not been finding any significant improvements, then you could be having Treatment Resistant Depression.
What is Spravato?
Spravato is a prescription nasal spray approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It contains esketamine, a derivative of ketamine that helps in treating:
- Treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
- Major depressive disorder (MDD)
Spravato treatment for depression is a groundbreaking therapy that targets by blocking the NMDA receptor, which affects glutamate—a key neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation. This unique mechanism results in considerable improvement in symptoms, often within hours to days.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Spravato is typically recommended for individuals who:
- Experience Treatment Resistant Depression or suicidal ideation
- Have tried at least two oral antidepressants without any results
It may not be suitable for everyone and the patient’s medical conditions need to be evaluated. The healthcare provider at your Spravato Treatment Center will evaluate your specific needs, determine eligibility based on your previous treatments and medical history.
How Spravato Works
Esketamine nasal spray Spravato for treatment resistant depression is administered in a certified healthcare setting under the direct observation of a healthcare provider. There will be a 2-hour monitoring period for patients to observe whether they are experiencing any disassociation or sedation. For new patients, Spravato is administered twice weekly for the first 4 weeks. This is reffered to as the Induction phase. The maintenance phase of Spravato treatment is designed to sustain the positive effects of the medication and prevent symptoms of returning. Spravato maintenance begins after the 4-week induction phase.
Benefits of Spravato
This treatment resistant depression treatment can help reduce the symptoms of depression when you haven’t seen much change with antidepressants.
Rapid Relief: Reduction of depressive symptoms within hours to days after the first dose in some patients.
FDA Approved: First new drug approved for depression by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in decades.
Safe and Supervised: Administered in a REMS certified treatment center under the supervision of medical experts.
What to Expect During Treatment
Spravato is not to be self administered or taken at home. This nasal spray is to be taken in a certified esketamine clinic setting under expert medical supervision.
It is important that you take all the necessary steps to maximize the outcome of your treatment. A few things to consider before your treatment are:
- Get a good sleep the previous night.
- Avoid eating or drinking for at least six hours before treatment.
- Dress comfortably for the session.
- Arrange a ride back home.
Challenges of Spravato Treatment
Like any medication, Spravato can have side effects such as dizziness, nausea, sedation, disassociation etc. This treatment is available at certified clinics, so finding one near you could be challenging. The treatment may not always be fully covered by insurance, make sure to check the coverage details before you start the session.
Final Thoughts
Spravato is an FDA approved advanced treatment for people suffering from Treatment Resistant Depression, especially if they have exhausted other treatment options. The rapid action nature of Spravato makes it a unique approach providing new hope to patients. Clinical studies prove that a large number of people have found relief from this treatment. With proper guidance from experts at Torii wellness center, this treatment could be a life-changing option for you.