Spravato® Treatment
Supervised esketamine therapy for fast relief.
Esketamine Nasal Spray/Spravato Treatment
Esketamine treatment (brand name Spravato®) is a prescription therapy used for adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and, in some cases, for depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) who have suicidal thoughts or actions. It is administered as a nasal spray under direct medical supervision in a certified clinical setting.
Key Features of Esketamine Treatment
Administration
The medication is self-administered by the patient as a nasal spray in a healthcare facility. Patients are monitored for at least two hours after each dose due to potential side effects. A driver is required to take the patient home after treatment, and they should not drive until the following day.
Usage
Esketamine is typically used in conjunction with an oral antidepressant medication. It is not a first-line treatment but rather an option for those who have not found relief from at least two other conventional antidepressant treatments.
Mechanism of Action
Unlike traditional antidepressants that target serotonin or norepinephrine, esketamine works on the brain's glutamate system by blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. This action is thought to help restore synaptic connections and improve brain plasticity, leading to rapid relief from depression symptoms.
Treatment Schedule
The initial treatment phase involves sessions twice weekly for the first four weeks. This is followed by a continuation phase of once weekly treatments for the next four weeks, then a maintenance phase where the frequency (weekly to monthly) varies based on clinical improvement.
Side Effects
Common side effects include dissociation (feeling detached from reality), dizziness, sedation, nausea, increased blood pressure, and anxiety.
Controlled Substance
Esketamine is a controlled substance due to its potential for misuse as a dissociative hallucinogen.