Getting Started on SPRAVATO®

Depression is a widespread condition in the United States. Even so, researchers haven’t pinpointed a cure-all for it. 

While some folks get relief from antidepressants, others live with a condition called treatment-resistant depression. That means that symptoms like hopelessness and sadness persist even after trying traditional treatments like antidepressants. 

If you have major depressive disorder (MDD), getting relief from your symptoms can also be difficult. 

Fortunately, the FDA has approved a treatment option geared toward folks with treatment-resistant depression and MDD. More good news: It’s a simple nasal spray. 

If you have MDD or your depression hasn’t responded to traditional treatments, you should know about SPRAVATO®. 

Our team at Hudson Specialty Care Spravato specializes in providing this nasal spray at our offices in Cliffside Park, Elizabeth, and Edison, New Jersey, as well as at New York City locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. 

What you should know about SPRAVATO

SPRAVATO is a form of ketamine (specifically, esketamine). Ketamine made something of a name for itself as a party drug, but it’s long been applied safely and effectively in the medical field. It got its start as an anesthetic, and it’s still widely used for that purpose today. 

When used for depression, ketamine targets different parts of your brain than antidepressants. That’s a big part of why researchers believe it often works for people who haven’t enjoyed relief from traditional treatment mechanisms.

Ketamine impacts your brain’s neuroplasticity, or its ability to change and adapt. When applied, it can help your brain regrow synapses, supporting better connections between your neurons. 

It’s also an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist (another way it works differently than antidepressants). Blocking NMDA receptors helps support glutamate activity, which in turn supports better mood regulation.

What to expect with SPRAVATO treatment

Because SPRAVATO can produce dissociative effects, it must be prescribed by a health care provider and taken under medical supervision. That’s where we come in. 

We coordinate with your mental health provider to create a treatment schedule that’s right for you. That usually means getting SPRAVATO twice a week for the first month, then tapering off. 

We collaborate with your mental health care provider to continue providing SPRAVATO as often as you need to moderate your depressive symptoms. 

Once we establish a schedule, you can come to any of our offices for treatment. You take the nasal spray yourself, but you’re under medical supervision during and after. 

For two hours, you can relax in our quiet, comfortable office. Feel free to bring a book, music, or anything else to pass the time. 

It’s normal to feel different after you take SPRAVATO. Common symptoms include:

• Dizziness
• Dissociation
• Sleepiness

Some people feel anxiety during SPRAVATO treatment. That’s why our team stands by. If any concerns pop up, we’re there to help alleviate them. Our staff is always on hand to answer any questions or provide the care you need. 

It’s not safe to drive after SPRAVATO, so you need to coordinate a ride home after each appointment. 

With this groundbreaking nasal spray, people across the country are finally getting relief from their depressive symptoms. To see if SPRAVATO may be right for you, call the Hudson Specialty Care Spravato office nearest you today or request an appointment online.