Spravato Specialist

Spravato Q & A (see Videos for more information)

What is Spravato?

Spravato is an innovative new therapy for patients who have treatment-resistant depression. When used in conjunction with antidepressant medication, Spravato can reduce the symptoms of major depressive disorder even when other treatment approaches aren’t working.

Spravato is a nasal spray rather than a pill. Psych Atlanta is a registered Spravato clinic, and practitioners administering the treatment have undergone training in the safe delivery of Spravato. You need to take your medication at the clinic, and your provider keeps you under observation for two hours afterward, so they can monitor you in case you experience any adverse reactions.

Spravato’s active ingredient is esketamine, a newly patented form of ketamine that has FDA approval.

What is ketamine?

Ketamine is a drug primarily used for sedation and pain relief. In recent years, the value of ketamine in treating depression has come to light, and now ketamine is used as a specific treatment for depression and other mood disorders.

Studies show that up to 75% of patients receiving ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression respond positively to the treatment.

Psych Atlanta recognizes the value of ketamine in treating depression, particularly treatment-resistant depression. The practice offers ketamine infusion therapy, oral ketamine, and intramuscular ketamine injections, as well as the Spravato intranasal esketamine spray.

Why would I need to take Spravato?

Spravato is an essential element of the ketamine-assisted psychotherapy program at Psych Atlanta. Intravenous ketamine infusion therapy ensures optimum absorption of the drug into your system, but not all patients are suitable candidates for IV therapy.

You might prefer not to have an IV treatment, or find it difficult to afford standard ketamine therapies, which insurance generally does not cover. In these cases, Spravato is a good alternative, as it is a simple spray delivered into your nose that does have insurance coverage.

How many Spravato treatments would I need?

You need to attend a series of sessions to get the most out of your treatment. This can vary between patients, but a typical course of Spravato treatment might involve three sessions a week for four to six weeks. You might also need to attend booster sessions once the initial treatment starts to work, so you don’t experience a relapse.

Your Spravato treatment sessions take place under supervision at Psych Atlanta. You need to have someone drive you home afterward, as you might experience some side effects such as drowsiness or impaired responses.

If Spravato or other ketamine therapies sound like they could help you, call Psych Atlanta today for more information, or request one on-line by completing the New Patient Form.