Spravato (Esketamine)

A nasal spray version, called esketamine, was approved by the FDA in March 2019. Its effects can make it helpful for treating depression in adults when used in combination with an oral antidepressant. Spravato can help with Treatment-resistant depression, significant depressive symptoms, and suicide ideation. Most patients experience alleviation from depressive symptoms with few adverse effects.

Ketamine is a drug that’s primarily known for its uses as an anesthetic. You may have also heard of ketamine being used as a psychedelic street drug, but if it’s used under the supervision of a doctor, it can be perfectly safe.

Coverage is Important

Esketamine nasal spray for depression is covered by many major insurance companies. One benefit of having treatment at One Behavioral is that our Care Team does all the work for you when it comes to insurance. Phone calls, emails, paperwork: we take care of it for you. Wrangling insurance companies for coverage of any treatment can be hard (even if you’re not struggling with depression!).

REMS-approved

Since it’s a psychedelic drug, esketamine nasal spray feels different from other substances you may have experience with (like alcohol). During treatment, you may feel dizzy, euphoric, or intoxicated. Afterwards, you’ll be groggy and woozy. You can’t do anything hazardous for the rest of your day. That includes operating a motor vehicle, so you’ll need someone to drive you home after treatment.