If you have been living with depression that has not improved with traditional antidepressant medications, you may be wondering whether SPRAVATO® could be an option. Understanding what the typical treatment schedule for SPRAVATO is can help you feel more prepared and confident as you explore this innovative approach to mitigating symptoms of depression.
At The Grant Group, we believe that education is an important part of your mental health journey. Knowing what to expect from the SPRAVATO treatment process can help you make informed decisions about your care.
SPRAVATO is a prescription medication that contains esketamine, a form of ketamine approved by the FDA for adults with treatment-resistant depression. It is also approved for adults with major depressive disorder who experience depressive symptoms with acute suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Unlike traditional antidepressants that often take several weeks to begin working, SPRAVATO targets different pathways in the brain associated with mood regulation. It is used alongside an oral antidepressant and must be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.
Because SPRAVATO can cause temporary side effects such as dizziness, sedation, dissociation, and increases in blood pressure, it is available only through the FDA's Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program.
The typical SPRAVATO treatment schedule is divided into phases, allowing your care team to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan based on your needs.
During the first month of treatment, you will likely receive SPRAVATO twice each week. This initial phase helps you achieve symptom improvement as quickly as possible while we closely monitor your response.
After the first four weeks, your treatment sessions are generally reduced to once a week. This maintenance phase allows us to evaluate your progress, discuss changes in your symptoms, and determine if adjustments to your plan are needed so you can achieve sustainable results.
Beginning in week nine, you will likely transition to treatments every two weeks or once weekly, depending on your response and clinical needs. We work closely with you to determine the schedule that best supports your mental health goals. Your treatment plan is personalized, and the timing of your appointments may change depending on your response to treatment.
Several steps happen during a typical SPRAVATO treatment appointment, which lasts approximately two hours. Your appointment schedule usually begins with our team checking your blood pressure and reviewing your symptoms and overall health.
You then self-administer the nasal spray under medical supervision. Next, you stay in our comfortable treatment setting for monitoring. During this observation period, our care team watches for side effects and ensures you are feeling well before you leave.
Because SPRAVATO can temporarily affect alertness and coordination, you must arrange transportation home after each appointment. You should not drive or operate machinery until the day after treatment, following a restful night's sleep.
While the recommended schedule follows a structured timeline, every person's experience with depression is unique, so we customize your care.
We consider factors such as your symptoms, treatment history, overall health, and response to care when creating your treatment plan. The goal is to provide you with the right level of support while helping you achieve lasting symptom improvement.
At The Grant Group, our team is committed to delivering compassionate, individualized care throughout every stage of your treatment journey. We can answer your questions about what the typical treatment schedule for SPRAVATO is, and explain how your schedule will be customized to meet your needs. Reach out to us today.
