FAQs

SPRAVATO ® is a prescription nasal spray, FDA-approved to treat adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), and it is also approved for adults with Suicidal Ideation. SPRAVATO® can only be given at a certified treatment center. It was FDA approved in 2019. It is used along with an antidepressant taken by mouth.

Patients may qualify for SPRAVATO® who have major depressive disorder and haven’t responded to at least 2 medications for depression from at least 2 classes of drugs.

SPRAVATO® is taken as a self-administered nasal spray, under the supervision of a healthcare provider in a healthcare setting.

SPRAVATO® can only be given at a certified healthcare facility with a healthcare provider present. Patients are monitored for at least 2 hours after receiving SPRAVATO®.

Treatments are initially given twice a week for 4 weeks, then tapered to maintenance therapy, which is once weekly. Treatment frequency is then customized to the patient’s response with patients usually tapering with time to every other week then monthly.

In studies, the most common side effects are sedation and dissociation. SPRAVATO® may cause sleepiness (sedation), fainting, dizziness, spinning sensation, anxiety, or feeling disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, feelings, space, and time (dissociation).

The most common side effects we see are nausea, bitter taste from the nasal spray, minor blood pressure increases, feeling tired, and mild dissociation.

Unlike anti-depressant medications, SPRAVATO® does not have the side effects of weight gain and decreased libido.

There is a concern about risk for abuse and physical and psychological dependence with SPRAVATO® treatment. Your healthcare provider will check you for signs of abuse and dependence before and during treatment with SPRAVATO®. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.

Reassuringly, we rarely encounter abuse or dependence with SPRAVATO®, as most people go into remission and taper off the medication without any difficulty.

Plan for a caregiver or family member to drive you home after taking SPRAVATO®. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything where you need to be completely alert after taking SPRAVATO®. Do not take part in these activities until the next day following a restful sleep.

Some people taking SPRAVATO® get nausea and vomiting. You should not eat for at least 2 hours before taking SPRAVATO® and not drink liquids at least 30 minutes before taking SPRAVATO®.

SPRAVATO® is not approved for anyone under 18 years of age. SPRAVATO® is contraindicated with medical conditions, such aneurysmal vascular disease, arteriovenous malformation, history of intracerebral hemorrhage, and hypersensitivity to SPRAVATO, ketamine, or to any of the excipients.

We reduce risks by medically evaluating all patients prior to prescribing SPRAVATO® treatment. For some patients, another treatment such as TMS may be a better alternative.

Coverage for SPRAVATO® depends on your insurance provider. Many insurances cover SPRAVATO®. Coverage for SPRAVATO® depends on a person’s individual policy.

We work hard for you to obtain prior authorization for your SPRAVATO® treatment. If your insurance will not cover treatment, then you have the option to pay out-of-pocket. If your insurance doesn’t cover  SPRAVATO®, we have self-pay payment plans available.

To find a certified SPRAVATO® treatment center, visit SPRAVATOHCP.com.

If you or a loved one is struggling, there is hope. We specialize in treatment resistant depression, helping to heal depression when medications fail to provide relief.

Call one of our locations or message us today at 785-693-6779 or by clicking purple ‘Message us’ box at right hand corner of the screen.