Spravato (Esketamine) Therapy for
Treatment Resistant Depression
"I found that with depression, one of the most important things you could realize is that you're not alone."
-Dwayne Johnson
What is Spravato (Esketamine)?
Are you tired of dealing with your depression and/or anxiety symptoms? Have you tried different types of medications that provided no results and left you frustrated? Do not lose hope. The journey to recovery is a different journey for everyone, We can help!
SPRAVATO® is a brand name prescription medicine, with the generic name Esketamine. It is used along with an oral antidepressant to treat:
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Adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) – defined as unsatisfactory relief of Depression after trying two or more antidepressants.
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Patients who are struggling with major depressive disorder (MDD) and haven’t found success or have experienced side effects from two or more antidepressant medications.
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Depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal thoughts or actions.
Experts have also reported significant improvement in other mental health conditions including Anxiety disorders, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).
Esketamine is administered as a nasal spray, and derived from the anesthetic ketamine. Ketamine has a long history of being used to treat depression. Now because clinical studies have shown significant benefit, Esketamine is FDA-approved for TRD.
Because Esketamine is considered a controlled substance, it must be administered by specially trained medical personnel in a certified clinical setting. Most patients receive it as an outpatient and go home in a couple of hours.
How does Esketamine work?
Traditional oral antidepressants raise the levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters - like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These naturally occurring messengers transmit information between neurons (nerve cells) to control
many functions in your body. From your mind to your muscles, neurotransmitters are involved in everything you do, think, and feel.
However, Esketamine is different than other antidepressants. It specifically increases one of the brain’s most powerful and abundant chemical messengers named Glutamate. This results in a more substantial impact on a greater number of brain cells with a single
dose.
Due to its powerful effects, EsKetamine helps to “unlock” different parts of your brain to approach mental health related memories, perceptions, and problems from a uniquely new perspective. In turn, this may allow you to conquer and move forward from deeply-
rooted problems.
The saying “A Rising Tide Lifts all Boats” rings true – as patients experience recovery from depression, improvements in other mental health conditions like anxiety, OCD, and emotional trauma may follow.
69%
of patients show improvement with esketamine after 8 treatments.
12 mo.
Patients are more likely to recover from depression at their 12 month follow-up with esketamine vs. medication
What is the Esketamine experience?
Consultation with a Provider
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During your initial visit, your provider will obtain your full medical history, perform a physical examination, and order any tests as necessary.
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You will be educated on Esketamine therapy including the benefits and associated side effects. All questions about the treatment will be addressed. If you are a good candidate for Esketamine, your first appointment will be scheduled.
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Insurance benefits will be checked prior to your first appointment.
Self administer
Esketamine nasal spray
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You are able to self administer Esketamine nasal spray with the supervision of a healthcare provider in a comfortable and safe setting.
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Esketamine is fast acting and most will start to feel the effects within a few minutes.
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Listen to music or rest peacefully with an eye mask as the therapy takes effect.
Monitoring during treatment
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You will be monitored for two hours as the medication takes effect.
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Periodically a healthcare provider will check your blood pressure and heart rate.
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Most patients describe this period as a calm dream-like state, or “out of body” experience. Many report a sense of physical relaxation like falling into a deep state of meditation.
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These effects typically peak within 1 hour, then fade over the next hour.
Get home safely and follow up
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At the end of your treatment, you will be evaluated by your healthcare provider again prior to leaving the office.
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You will need someone to drive you home and this will be arranged in advance.
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Most of our patients see positive results after the first treatment. Although every patient is different, and it may take you longer to feel the benefits.
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A common treatment protocol is two sessions per week for four weeks, then once weekly thereafter. Your provider will determine how long your treatements should continue..
What are the side effects?
The most common side effects usually occur within one to two hours after the nasal spray has been administered. To help ensure the safety of patients, there is a two-hour window of supervision at the clinic following the administration before patients can leave
and head home. These side effects include but are not limited to: Sleepiness, nausea, increased blood pressure, bad taste, disassociation. See Medication & Safety link below for more.
Ready to take the next step?
The landscape of Mental Health care is finally changing, and we’re excited to be part of that evolution. If you aren’t finding relief from traditional medications and psychotherapy, then Esketamine therapy may be right for you. Schedule your consultation now to see if we can help.