SPRAVATO®
An additional treatment option for depression
For some people living with depression, traditional treatments may not provide enough improvement. SPRAVATO® (esketamine) is a prescription nasal spray that offers another treatment option for certain adults with depression.
At Alpine Psychiatry, SPRAVATO® treatment is provided in person at select locations, with careful monitoring and coordination throughout your care.
What is SPRAVATO®
SPRAVATO® is the brand name for esketamine, a prescription nasal spray used to treat certain forms of depression in adults. Unlike many traditional antidepressants, SPRAVATO® works through a different pathway in the brain. It is administered under the supervision of a healthcare provider in a certified treatment setting, where you are monitored before leaving.
SPRAVATO® is not appropriate for everyone. Your symptoms, health history, previous treatments, current medications, and other factors all help determine whether it may make sense as part of your care. A consultation with your provider is the first step in understanding whether SPRAVATO® may be an appropriate treatment option for you.
What to expect during SPRAVATO® treatment
Before beginning SPRAVATO®, you'll meet with a provider to discuss your symptoms, medical and mental health history, previous treatments, and current medications. Your provider will also review what SPRAVATO® treatment involves and answer your questions.
If SPRAVATO® is appropriate for you, treatment takes place in person. During each appointment, you'll administer the SPRAVATO® nasal spray under the supervision of your care team. Because the medication can cause temporary effects after it is administered, you'll remain at the office for a period of observation and monitoring before leaving.
Your SPRAVATO® treatment process may include:
An initial consultation and evaluation
Review of your symptoms and previous treatments
Discussion of your current medications and health history
Insurance authorization when required
In-person SPRAVATO® treatment sessions
Monitoring during and after each treatment
Ongoing assessment of your symptoms and response
Coordination with your broader mental health care when appropriate
SPRAVATO® treatment involves a series of appointments, with the frequency of visits changing over the course of treatment based on the established treatment schedule and your individual care plan.
Your care team will help you understand each stage of the process so you know what to expect as treatment progresses.
Who may benefit from SPRAVATO®?
SPRAVATO® may be considered for certain adults with depression based on their diagnosis, symptoms, treatment history, and other individual factors.
It may be worth discussing with your provider if you:
Continue to experience depression despite previous treatment
Have tried antidepressant medications without enough improvement
Have been referred to explore SPRAVATO® treatment
Are interested in understanding what additional treatment options may be available
Can attend the required in-person treatment and monitoring appointments
SPRAVATO® is not the right treatment for everyone. A consultation gives you and your provider an opportunity to review your history, discuss potential benefits and risks, and determine whether it may be an appropriate next step.
Mental health conditions we treat with SPRAVATO®
SPRAVATO® is used for specific forms of depression in adults. Your provider will determine whether treatment may be appropriate based on your diagnosis, symptoms, treatment history, and other clinical considerations.
Our SPRAVATO® team
Our providers evaluate whether SPRAVATO® may be appropriate for each patient and help coordinate treatment with the rest of your mental health care.
Where we provide SPRAVATO® treatment
Because SPRAVATO® must be administered and monitored in an appropriate clinical setting, treatment is provided in person. All SPRAVATO® treatment and required post-treatment monitoring take place in-office.
Understanding insurance coverage for SPRAVATO®
Coverage for SPRAVATO® can depend on your insurance plan, diagnosis, previous treatments, and other clinical requirements. SPRAVATO® often requires prior authorization before treatment begins. If SPRAVATO® is being considered as part of your care, our team can help review your benefits and navigate the insurance requirements that may apply.
Learn more about SPRAVATO®
Explore articles about SPRAVATO®, treatment-resistant depression, and what to consider when evaluating additional treatment options.
Is SPRAVATO® the right next step?
If depression symptoms have continued despite previous treatment, SPRAVATO® may be an option to explore. A consultation can help you understand how treatment works, review your history, and determine whether SPRAVATO® may be appropriate as part of your care.