About
Esketamine SPRAVATO™ is the first nasal spray approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat depression in adults who have not found relief with other antidepressants. This is known as treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and affects almost one-third of clients diagnosed with depression.
How does esketamine SPRAVATO work?
Although the complete mechanism of action of esketamine SPRAVATO is unknown, clinical studies have shown that it helps treat depressive symptoms by targeting different neural receptors in the brain. It works through targeting of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor to improve brain plasticity via stimulation of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) production and activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR).
Esketamine SPRAVATO has been clinically proven to help patients in many ways:
- Stabilizing mood
- Decreasing the severity of depression
- Delaying the return of symptoms
- Taking effect in days rather than weeks
- Reducing thoughts of suicide
In one study of esketamine SPRAVATO, patients who stayed on esketamine SPRAVATO after 16 weeks of therapy had better results than patients who stopped therapy. Also, patients who received esketamine SPRAVATO showed a greater reduction of depressive symptoms than patients who received only a traditional oral antidepressant.
How is SPRAVATO taken?
The FDA approved esketamine SPRAVATO for use in conjunction with another oral antidepressant.
Due to the commonly observed effects of esketamine SPRAVATO, it is only available through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) at a certified esketamine SPRAVATO center. On treatment days, patients should plan for transportation to and from Columbia Associates. Driving or operating machinery should not take place until after a full night of rest post-treatment. The initial therapy begins with two treatments per week for four weeks. After four weeks, you will be re-evaluated by a Columbia Associates provider and an individualized treatment plan will be tailored to your behavioral health needs, with treatments then tapered down for maintenance.
Each time you receive esketamine SPRAVATO, the Columbia Associates nursing staff will observe you for a minimum of two hours at each treatment session.
What are the most common side effects?
Since esketamine is used in anesthesia, it has many of the same potential side effects as other anesthetics and pain medications.
- Increased blood pressure
- Anxiety
- Dissociation
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Sedation
- Impaired ability to drive or operate other machinery