What Should You Expect During Your SPRAVATO Treatment?

Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) can be diagnosed if you tried two or more established antidepressants and don’t see an improvement in your quality of life. If you’ve been diagnosed with TRD, you now have another way to experience relief with SPRAVATO®. This novel esketamine medication has been proven to help with depression, such as suicidal ideation and actions.

Notwithstanding, SPRAVATO is used differently than your usual pill or liquid. It is a extremely regulated FDA-approved treatment that can only be dispensed by authorized SPRAVATO providers. But what can you expect during a SPRAVATO treatment?

SPRAVATO Can Only Be Administered Through An FDA-Approved Provider

SPRAVATO should only be dispensed under strict medical supervision at a location certified in the SPRAVATO Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. The Counseling Center is happy to be included in the program and an approved SPRAVATO treatment provider. Before you start your treatments, we will teach you on the benefits and risks of SPRAVATO use, including misuse, abuse, sedation, and dissociation. We’ll also discuss common side effects, some of which happen directly after the dose and go away the same day.

How SPRAVATO Treatment Works

Your first session at our certified SPRAVATO treatment center is a consultation. You will have an assessment to see if you have treatment-resistant depression and if this treatment is right choice for you. You may be eligible for SPRAVATO if you attempted two or more conventional depression treatments and didn’t see improvement in your depression symptoms.

Beginning SPRAVATO Treatment

Your SPRAVATO treatment can begin as soon as your second session. But before you begin, there are a couple of things to consider.

• Arrange transportation. You’ll need a lift to and from our office as you won’t be able to drive or do anything that requires total alertness until the next day.
• Bring something to do. As you take the spray, you’ll be monitored for at least two hours. Bring a something to read, a charged phone, or a different form of portable entertainment.
• Guidelines for food and drink. Since SPRAVATO can cause stomach irritation and vomiting in some clients, don’t consume food for at least two hours before your session and avoid liquids for 30 minutes prior.
• Avoid other nasal medications for at least one hour. If you take nasal corticosteroid or nasal decongestant medications, do so at a minimum of one hour prior your treatment.

Once you’ve made your arrangements, you can start treatment. We will guide you on the proper use of the nasal spray. You will take it yourself while under the direct care of our clinicians. We’ll watch you for at least two hours for side effects and let you know when it’s ok for you to return home.

For four weeks, you will take SPRAVATO twice a week. Once finished, we’ll review the levels and frequency of of your dosage and suggest a course of action that takes into account your symptoms, progress, and other factors.

What Does SPRAVATO Feel Like?

SPRAVATO provides a calming, relaxed feeling that helps lessen your symptoms of Treatment-Resistant Depression. The dosage does not cause sedation in most clients, but you could feel sleepy or doze off during treatment. The drowsiness or sleepiness you see should leave fairly quickly after the visit ends or during the monitored recovery period.

Other side effects are possible, including dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or disorientation. However, many patients experience very few or no side effects at all.

Get More Information About SPRAVATO Treatment At The Counseling Center

Get more information about SPRAVATO treatment by contacting The Counseling Center. Proficient in mental health and substance use treatment, we can help you find the right care plan for you. Contact us by calling 866-850-5001 or sending in the form on this page. Help is available for you today.