Depression can make life feel very hard. Some people try many different treatments but still feel sad and hopeless. If regular medicines and therapy have not helped you, there is a newer option called Spravato. This treatment is different from pills you take at home. It might help when other treatments have not worked.

What Is Spravato?

Spravato is a special medicine for depression. The real name is esketamine. It comes as a nasal spray that you use at a doctor's office. You cannot take this medicine at home by yourself.

Spravato works differently than most depression pills. Regular antidepressants can take weeks or months to work. They change chemicals in your brain slowly over time. Spravato works much faster. Some people feel better within hours or days.

The medicine is made from ketamine, which doctors have used safely for many years. Spravato is a newer form that is made just for treating depression. The FDA approved it in 2019 for people whose depression has not gotten better with other treatments.

Who Can Use Spravato?

Not everyone with depression can use Spravato. Doctors only prescribe it for specific cases. You might be a good candidate if you have tried at least two other antidepressants and they did not work well enough. This is called treatment-resistant depression.

Spravato therapy is also approved for people who have depression with suicidal thoughts. If someone feels like they want to hurt themselves, this treatment might help them feel better quickly.

Your doctor will check your health history before starting this treatment. They need to make sure it is safe for you. Some health problems might mean Spravato is not the right choice. Your doctor will talk with you about whether this treatment could help.

How Does the Treatment Work?

Getting Spravato treatment is different from taking regular pills. You must go to a doctor's office or clinic for each dose. The treatment happens in a special setting where medical staff can watch you.

First, your doctor will check your blood pressure. Then you will use the nasal spray device. You will spray the medicine into one nostril, wait a few minutes, and then spray into the other nostril. The whole process of using the spray takes about five minutes.

After you use the medicine, you must stay at the clinic for at least two hours. Medical staff will watch you during this time. They check your blood pressure and make sure you are safe. You might feel dizzy or sleepy, so you cannot drive yourself home. You need someone to pick you up and stay with you for the rest of the day.

What Are the Benefits?

The biggest benefit of Spravato therapy is how fast it can work. Many people start feeling better within hours or days. This is much faster than regular antidepressants, which can take four to six weeks to work.

For people who have tried many treatments without success, Spravato offers new hope. Studies show that it helps many people whose depression did not improve with other medicines. This can be life-changing for someone who has felt hopeless for a long time.

The treatment can also help reduce suicidal thoughts quickly. For people in crisis, this fast action can be very important. Getting relief from dark thoughts quickly can help keep people safe while other treatments start working.

Another benefit is that you use Spravato along with your regular antidepressant pills. The two treatments work together. You do not have to stop your other medicine to try this new option.

What Are the Risks and Side Effects?

Like all medicines, Spravato has some risks and side effects. It is important to know about these before you start treatment.

Common side effects include feeling dizzy, feeling sleepy, or feeling disconnected from your body. Some people feel like things around them are not real. These feelings usually go away within a few hours. This is why you must stay at the clinic after treatment.

Some people feel sick to their stomach or throw up. Your doctor might give you medicine before your Spravato treatment to help prevent this. Headaches are also common but usually mild.

Spravato can raise your blood pressure. This is why medical staff check it before and after each treatment. If you already have high blood pressure or heart problems, your doctor will watch this carefully.

There is also a risk of misusing this medicine. Ketamine-based drugs can be addictive for some people. This is one reason why you cannot take Spravato therapy at home. The supervised setting helps keep the treatment safe.

Some people should not use Spravato. This includes people with certain blood vessel problems in the brain or people who have had allergic reactions to ketamine or esketamine.

What to Expect During Treatment

When you start Spravato, you will have treatments twice a week for the first month. Each visit takes about two hours after you use the nasal spray. This schedule helps the medicine work best at the beginning.

After the first month, most people reduce to once a week. Later, you might only need treatment every other week or once a month. Your doctor will create a schedule that works best for you based on how you respond.

You should not eat for at least two hours before your treatment. You also should not drink anything for at least thirty minutes before. This helps reduce side effects like feeling sick.

Bring comfortable clothes and something to do during your two-hour waiting period. Some people read, listen to music, or rest quietly. The clinic will have a comfortable place for you to relax while the medicine works.

Remember that you cannot drive after treatment. Plan ahead to have someone take you home. You should rest for the remainder of the day and avoid doing anything that needs full attention or coordination.

How Much Does It Cost?

Spravato can be expensive. The cost varies depending on your insurance and where you live. Some insurance plans cover the treatment, but others might not. Medicare covers Spravato therapy for people who qualify.

Talk to your doctor's office about costs before you start. They can help you understand what your insurance will cover. Some drug companies offer programs to help people afford their medicines. Ask about these options if cost is a worry.

Even though the treatment costs money, many people feel it is worth it if it helps their depression. Feeling better and being able to enjoy life again is priceless.

Is Spravato Right for You?

Deciding to try a new treatment is a big choice. Talk openly with your doctor about your depression and what treatments you have tried. Be honest about what has worked and what has not.

Ask questions about anything you do not understand. Good questions include: How long will I need this treatment? What side effects should I watch for? How will we know if it is working? What happens if it does not help?

Your doctor can help you weigh the benefits and risks. Together, you can decide if Spravato is a good option for you. Remember that this treatment works best when combined with therapy and other support.

Moving Forward With Hope

Depression is hard, but you do not have to live with it forever. New treatments like Spravato offer hope for people who have not found relief with other options. While it is not right for everyone, it has helped many people feel better and enjoy life again.

If you think Spravato might help you, talk to your doctor. Getting the right treatment can change your life. You deserve to feel better, and there are people ready to help you on your journey to wellness.