Should You Try FDA-Approved Spravato for Your Treatment-Resistant Depression?

Esketamine is a prescription drug marketed under the brand name Spravato®. This FDA-approved medicine provides an alternative treatment option for severe depression and treatment-resistant depression.

More than 14 million adults experience at least one episode of major depression. For some people, traditional antidepressant medications are effective at relieving symptoms. If you have depression that has failed to respond to conventional antidepressants or if you have side effects that you’re unable to tolerate, Spravato provides a solution worth considering. 

At Horizons Wellness Family Health, board-certified family nurse practitioner Albalira Gibson-Borrelli, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, is devoted to providing patients in and near Middleton, New York, with access to innovative treatments. 

Spravato is a groundbreaking FDA-approved nasal spray that helps to relieve symptoms of depression.

Treatment-resistant depression

Treatment-resistant depression is when you’re diagnosed with a major depressive disorder that fails to respond adequately to at least two different antidepressants. This form of depression not only burdens you with persistent symptoms but also places you at a higher risk for substance abuse, hospitalization, and suicide. It's a pressing call for innovative treatments that can provide relief where others have failed.

How Spravato works

Spravato derives from ketamine — a substance known for its rapid-acting antidepressant effects. Unlike ketamine, administered intravenously, Spravato is a nasal spray, making it less invasive to administer under medical supervision. 

It targets the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, a glutamate receptor that regulates mood, offering a novel approach to treating depression. Most antidepressants focus on serotonin or norepinephrine pathways, but Spravato's unique method of action can provide relief when you haven't benefited from traditional approaches.

By modulating glutamate, the most abundant neurotransmitter in the brain, Spravato can help restore synaptic connections in brain areas responsible for mood regulation, offering improvements in depressive symptoms.

Considering the benefits

One of the most beneficial aspects of Spravato is its rapid onset of action. Traditional antidepressant medication typically takes weeks to provide relief. When you’re feeling down and hopeless, time is of the essence. 

Patients who receive treatment with Spravato report symptom relief within hours to days, a significant improvement over traditional antidepressants. This quick response can be crucial for individuals struggling with severe depression, providing much-needed relief during a critical time.

Moreover, Spravato is administered in a controlled medical setting, ensuring patient safety and monitoring. This supervision is essential in managing potential side effects and ensuring effective treatment.

Is Spravato right for you?

If you're considering Spravato for your treatment-resistant depression, the decision should be in collaboration with a health professional. It's crucial to consider all factors, including the need for regular medical visits and the commitment to a treatment plan.

Our team at Horizon Wellness Family Health can discuss Spravato with you, answering any of your questions and concerns and helping you determine if Spravato is the right depression treatment option for you.

If you're at a crossroads with your depression treatment, Spravato may provide a path to relief. To learn more and to request a visit, contact our office today.