How SPRAVATO® Works

When depression persists despite several medication trials, it can feel like your brain is not responding the way it should. You may be doing the work, showing up to appointments, and still not feeling meaningful relief. In our psychiatrist-led, adult and adolescent practice, our job is to help you move from frustration to a plan that is structured and realistic.

SPRAVATO® is not a traditional daily antidepressant. It is an in-office esketamine nasal spray treatment delivered under a required safety program, and it is designed for adults. We can also help you explore other evidence-based options when teens need a higher level of depression support. Contact us today to learn more about how SPRAVATO® works and if it is right for you.

What Makes SPRAVATO® Different From Standard Antidepressants

Most antidepressants target serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine systems and can take weeks to build effect. SPRAVATO® therapy is different because it acts on the brain’s glutamate pathways. 

For you, this difference matters because it may be an option when standard medication strategies have not delivered the improvement you need. Your psychiatrist will still review the full picture, including diagnosis, co-occurring conditions like anxiety or bipolar disorder, and attention symptoms, since those details are important when creating the safest and most effective plan.

What a SPRAVATO® Visit Typically Involves

Because esketamine nasal spray is administered in a medical setting, the experience is more structured than picking up a prescription. While each person’s SPRAVATO® plan is individualized, many people follow a pattern that starts with more frequent dosing and transitions to maintenance based on response, allowing our team to monitor how the therapy works for you.

A typical in-office esketamine visit includes:

  • A check-in and brief clinical review with our team
  • A blood pressure check and medication safety review
  • Supervised self-administration of the nasal spray
  • A monitored observation period of at least two hours
  • A discharge assessment to confirm you are clinically stable to leave
  • Planning for a ride home and the rest of your day

We will also talk with you about what you might feel during the visit, such as temporary sleepiness or a sense of detachment, so you can plan for comfort and support. The monitoring requirement is part of the FDA-approved safety framework and the SPRAVATO® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. 

How We Decide If SPRAVATO® Fits Your Needs

SPRAVATO® is indicated for treatment-resistant depression in adults, and it is also indicated for depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation or behavior when used with an oral antidepressant. Even so, the most important question is whether it fits your specific clinical situation.

In your evaluation, we will:

  • Confirm diagnosis and review your medication history to clarify whether your depression meets treatment-resistant criteria
  • Review medical factors, such as blood pressure and other conditions, that could affect how esketamine therapy works and its safe use
  • Discuss scheduling, transportation, and the level of support you have at home
  • Coordinate medication management and follow-up visits to track progress over time
  • Collaborate with your outside therapist, or help you connect with community therapy partners, if counseling is part of your plan

This process helps you feel informed rather than rushed. It also helps ensure that procedure-based depression care is paired with the ongoing psychiatric follow-through that makes treatment sustainable.

Schedule a Visit To Learn How SPRAVATO® Could Work For You

If you are considering an advanced option for depression, understanding the structure of treatment can ease a lot of uncertainty. We will walk you through candidacy, what a monitored dosing day looks like, and how we will measure improvement over time.

Contact us to discuss next steps and learn how SPRAVATO® works in the context of your personal history, so you can move forward with a plan that feels supported and clear.