Esketamine

SPRAVATO® a prescription es-ketamine nasal spray, which is taken alongside an antidepressant, for:

• Adults with treatment-resistant depression
• Depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder with suicidal thoughts or actions

Esketamine (Spravato) was FDA approved for clinical depression that has not responded to two or more medications. It is given as a nasal spray. Esketamine works differently than the traditional medications for depression.

Spravato and other ketamine-based treatments work differently from oral antidepressants. Esketamine targets the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the brain, whereas other common antidepressants do not.

• Major Depressive Disorder with no improvement in symptoms
• Psychological counseling or psychotherapy has not helped
• Symptoms failed to improve with various antidepression medications

Clinical studies show that adults with Treatment-resistant depression who took SPRAVATO® and an antidepressant experienced greater reductions of depressive symptoms at four weeks compared to those who received a placebo plus an oral antidepressant.

• Major Depressive Disorder
• Symptoms of Depression which include suicidal thoughts or ideation
• History and/or recent plans to harms one’s self or take one’s life

Clinical studies of adults with MDD with suicidal thoughts or actions show that those who took SPRAVATO® and an antidepressant experienced a greater reduction of depressive symptoms at 24 hours compared to those who took a placebo plus an oral antidepressant.

All drugs have side effects. When someone has severe depression or is suicidal the possible benefits may outweigh the possible risks. EsKetamine may cause;

• Dizziness
• High Blood Pressure
• Nausea & Vomiting
• Dissociation (out-of-body experiences)
• perceptual disturbances (time appearing to speed up or slow down; colors, and noises seem especially stimulating; blurry vision)
• Possible other side effects which may not be known

SPRAVATO® is available only through a restricted program via REMS approval because of the risk of sedation, dissociation, and abuse/misuse.

Important requirements of the SPRAVATO® REMS include the following:

Healthcare settings must be certified in the program and ensure that SPRAVATO® is:
Only dispensed and administered in healthcare settings.
Patients treated in outpatient settings (e.g., medical offices and clinics) must be enrolled in the program.
Administered by patients under the direct observation of a healthcare provider and that patients are monitored by a healthcare provider for at least 2 hours after administration of SPRAVATO®.
Our clinic here in Greater Atlanta has full approval to administer Spravato treatments. If you are looking for help with depression and other treatments have failed, its time to try esketamine or transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Complete this form so we can assist with your mental health journey.