What is SPRAVATO®?
SPRAVATO® (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray used to treat persistent depression and suicidal ideation. It works by acting on multiple receptors in the brain—including those linked to both emotional and physical pain—to create a “chemical reset.” Derived from ketamine, a long-used anesthetic, SPRAVATO® in low, purified doses helps patients process trauma, often leading to a rapid lift in depression symptoms. Some patients experience significant improvement, even after the first treatment, but a full series of treatments is typically needed to achieve lasting remission.
There’s good news for people with severe treatment-resistant depression: esketamine is a groundbreaking therapy that can provide relief from major depression within hours. “For the first time in 60 years, we have a new antidepressant therapy that isn’t just a spinoff of existing drugs,” says Adam Kaplin, M.D., Ph.D., a psychiatrist with Johns Hopkins Medicine. “For some people, esketamine therapy is revolutionary, giving them the chance to experience life without depression for the first time in decades.”
Victory Clinic is a certified outpatient SPRAVATO® treatment center. SPRAVATO® is a prescription nasal spray, FDA-approved to treat adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
How Does SPRAVATO® Work?
Ketamine, which acts on these neurotransmitters, has been found to rapidly restore synaptic connections and relieve symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression. With FDA approval of SPRAVATO®, ketamine offers a new approach for those who haven’t responded to standard antidepressants, though it is most effective when combined with therapies like CBT to support long-term recovery. Watch the video from Yale Medicine to learn how ketamine works to treat depression.
SPRAVATO® (esketamine) Quick Links
How do I pay for TMS or SPRAVATO®?
Many insurance plans cover TMS or SPRAVATO® for treatment resistant depression.
Contact your insurance to check your eligibility, or learn more on our Insurances page.
