If you have treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD), with or without suicidal ideation, you may need treatment beyond your current medication. That’s why the TMS Institute of Arizona offers Spravato, a nasal spray that is designed to work in conjunction with your current medication(s). Never stop or change an Rx without talking to your prescribing doctor first. Also, bear in mind that Spravato should only be administered by a professional who is approved to do so—and we are one of the few clinics in the region to offer this therapy.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Spravato as a treatment aid for depression in 2019. CBS suggests that, due to the onset of the pandemic, Spravato didn’t get the media coverage it deserved—but that’s changing now. Spravato has quickly climbed to the top of therapies for depression and is being lavished with praise for its ease and effectiveness. Spravato is designed for those who aren’t getting the relief they need from more traditional therapies, such as anti-depressant pills.
What is Spravato?
Spravato is esketamine (not ketamine, but a close relative) that works as a low-dose hallucinogenic spray. It can be very helpful to those struggling with severe depression. Currently, it is the only FDA-approved treatment in nasal spray form for depression. It is supposed to be used alongside medications because it works in entirely different ways from prescription drugs. Anti-depressant pills typically act on the serotonin levels, which is a switch of sorts for your nervous system. Spravato acts on glutamate, which is in charge of your feelings.
The standard protocol for Spravato is administration twice a week for four weeks, and then slowly scaled back. However, even in the initial month, that’s a schedule that can fit into most people’s lives. The administration itself is fast, but you are required to stay in the office for up to two hours just in case. There can be short-term side effects of Spravato, such as severe fatigue, that can make it dangerous for you to leave right away. Adhering to the protocols and best practices of Spravato treatment is paramount for a successful regimen.
What One Person Says About Spravato
CBS talked to a patient, Michelle Luchau, who says Spravato “brought back hope” for her. She also experienced side effects when she first began treatment. “You start to feel sedated,” she explains. “I was nauseous the first time, then I fell asleep.” Fortunately, these side effects are very short-lived and tend to decrease throughout treatments. Now that Luchau says she can “function normally” after undergoing Spravato treatments, she is pursuing her master’s degree in mental health counseling. Life “used to feel like climbing Mt. Everest,” she says. “Now, tasks are manageable and you build mastery.”
Spravato and You
Most people diagnosed with severe depression or major depressive disorder who are taking Rx drugs but not getting the results they want will qualify for Spravato. It is covered by major insurance policies. There are few contraindications to this therapy. Unfortunately, due to its similar name of estketamine (which sounds a lot like ketamine), there is also a lot of misinformation about this treatment being spread online and via word of mouth. There is also much misinformation about ketamine in general.
Spravato is not the “party drug” known as ketamine and works differently. It is designed strictly for medicinal use and to aid in the treatment of depression. Depression, along with anxiety, is one of the most common mental health disorders in the country. Properly treating it can be a life-saving measure. Although prescription pills are the gold standard in treatment, that isn’t enough for everyone. Spravato can bridge the gap when your medications are not working for you as well as they should.
The first step in your Spravato journey is to schedule a consultation with one of our experts. Let’s discuss if this proprietary nasal spray might be the right fit for you. Get in touch with the TMS Institute of Arizona today by calling the office during business hours or, for an even quicker response, simply complete the online contact form right now.
