If you have been living with anxiety and feel like nothing has helped, you may be interested in learning more about Spravato. It is a newer treatment option that is being used more frequently, especially by people with depression that has resisted other therapies. Now, others are asking, is Spravato approved to treat anxiety? And if not, could it still help? To find out if Spravato can treat your condition, schedule an appointment with our team today.
Spravato is a derivative of ketamine and is delivered via a nasal spray.
Although not yet licensed for treating anxiety, Spravato is FDA-approved to manage treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal thoughts or actions.
Treatment-resistant depression refers to MDD that has not responded to at least two different types of antidepressant medications. If you have tried several treatments and continue to experience symptoms, Spravato may be a suitable option to use alongside a traditional antidepressant.
In emergency situations, such as when you are experiencing MDD with suicidal thoughts or actions, Spravato can help quickly reduce symptoms. Again, its use would be paired with oral antidepressants.
It is important to note that you cannot take Spravato at home; it must be administered in a doctor’s office. This is because it can cause side effects such as drowsiness or dissociation (a sense of being disconnected from your body or surroundings), and your care team needs to monitor you for at least two hours after each dose.
If you are struggling with either of these conditions, contact The Grant Group today to begin developing a treatment plan.
Even though Spravato is not officially approved for anxiety, there is growing interest in how it might help people with both depression and anxiety—especially when other medications have not worked.
The researchers have found that patients who received esketamine (the active ingredient in Spravato) experienced clinically meaningful improvement in their symptoms. In plain terms, both their anxiety and depression symptoms got noticeably better.
Early research on ketamine, the parent drug of esketamine, also suggests that it may help people with generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder. The review emphasized that, while the evidence is limited, it is growing.
So, while Spravato has not yet earned FDA approval for treating anxiety, the emerging research offers hope for its potential future use. Clinical trials are ongoing, and many mental health professionals are keenly following these developments.
If you are struggling with anxiety alongside depression that has not responded to treatment, Spravato might be worth exploring. However, you should consider several factors before making your decision.
First, you should talk to a qualified provider. Spravato is not right for everyone, and it is not the first-line treatment for anxiety. However, if you have tried other options without success, your doctor might consider Spravato as part of a broader treatment plan.
Remember, too, that you can only take Spravato in your doctor’s office; you cannot pick it up at a pharmacy. When you take Spravato at the doctor’s office, you will be monitored for side effects, and someone else will need to drive you home after each session.
Even if your main concern is anxiety, you may be eligible for Spravato treatment if your symptoms exist alongside treatment-resistant depression. A thorough evaluation could help assess whether Spravato might be an option for you.
Of course, Spravato is not your only option. Proven treatments for anxiety include SSRIs, SNRIs, benzodiazepines (in short-term situations), and therapies such as CBT and DBT. For some people, newer approaches such as TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) or mindfulness-based therapy can also make a real difference.
Spravato is not currently approved for anxiety alone, but if your anxiety exists alongside treatment-resistant depression, it might be something to explore with your provider. The research is promising, and we expect to see more studies in the coming years.
If you are feeling stuck and unsure where to turn next, you are not alone. It is important to find a provider who will take the time to understand your full story and work with you to find the best treatment option, whether that includes Spravato or another evidence-based drug or therapy. We are here to help. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation.