What Is Spravato and When Should It Be Used for Depression?

Depression is a leading cause of disability, but not everyone experiences depression in the same way. There are many types of depression, including major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and postpartum depression. Although there are many differences among each type of depression, they are all marked by intense feelings of sadness, loss of interest in hobbies, and changes in diet and sleep. Depression symptoms, which can range from mild to severe, can impact your work performance, personal relationships, and your ability to thrive.

The good news is that there are treatments for depression, although not all types of depression respond to the same types of treatment. Here at Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions, Dr. Karen Giles may recommend SPRAVATO® for depression if you aren’t responding to other treatments.

Below, our team explains what SPRAVATO is and when it should be used for depression.

Quick facts about SPRAVATO

SPRAVATO is an FDA-approved nasal spray that is taken in conjunction with an oral antidepressant. The spray contains esketamine, which is similar to ketamine. Unlike other antidepressant medications, esketamine increases a neurotransmitter in your brain called glutamate. Glutamate is a powerful neurotransmitter, and by increasing glutamate, your brain creates more connections between cells.

Brain connections 一 called synapses一 are good for your mental wellness because they enable lightning-fast communication among messengers in your brain that specialize in different kinds of brain functions.

In short, esketamine helps alleviate depression by increasing neurotransmitters in your brain and building more synapses, so your brain can function optimally.

Other quick facts about SPRAVATO:

You administer this spray in our office per Dr. Giles’s instructions.
You will be monitored closely for a few hours before going home.
You may feel drowsy afterward, so you’ll need to arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home.
SPRAVATO can work in just a few hours, which is much more quickly than traditional depression medications.

In the next section, we’ll explore two incidences when SPRAVATO should be considered as a depression treatment.

When should SPRAVATO be used for depression?

SPRAVATO can be used for adults with:

Treatment-resistant depression
Major depressive disorder with suicidal thoughts or actions.

Treatment-resistant depression is depression that doesn’t respond to traditional depression medications. Up to 33% of people with depression do not respond to multiple attempts at treatment, which can be frustrating and overwhelming. The good news is that SPRAVATO can help with treatment-resistant depression because it interacts with different parts of the brain than traditional depression medications. The thought of a quick-acting medication can be a breath of fresh air for those struggling for weeks or months to find the right combination of medications.

SPRAVATO is also beneficial for adults with major depressive disorder who are struggling with suicidal ideation.

Note: If you’re struggling with suicidal ideation, call 9-1-1. You can also reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 and at 9-8-8.

Is SPRAVATO right for you?

If you’re struggling with treatment-resistant depression or major depression with thoughts of suicide, know that help is just a call or click away. Depression is treatable, and with SPRAVATO, you can find a reprieve in your symptoms.

Here at Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions, our team excels in compassionate and expert care, so you can feel like yourself again. Starting with a comprehensive exam and evaluation, we pinpoint the source of your symptoms, and if you’re a candidate for SPRAVATO, we review all protocols and preparation steps you may need to take. And if you aren’t a candidate, we can get you started with other treatments, too.

Call our Sandy Springs, Georgia, office to get started. You can also request an appointment via our online scheduling tool.