SPRAVATO & DEPRESSION
Spravato for Treatment Resistant Depression
Avesta Ketamine and Wellness is now an eligible provider of SPRAVATO®. SPRAVATO® (esketamine) CIII is a nasal spray that is best used in conjunction with an oral antidepressant, for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in adults and depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) with acute suicidal ideation or behavior. Spravato is similar to ketamine (an anesthetic drug), however, Spravato and ketamine are not the same drug. They have some similar effects in the body, but they are different drugs.
How Spravato
Works
In a four week clinical study, Spravato was found to improve symptoms of depression in people taking the drug. During the clinical study, one group was given Spravato and an oral antidepressant while the other group was given a placebo (no treatment) and an oral antidepressant. Depression symptoms were measured on a scale of zero to 60 (with higher scores meaning worse depression symptoms). During the study, people taking Spravato had fewer depression symptoms than people taking the placebo. Scores for people taking Spravato improved by 4 points more than scores for people taking the placebo. The greatest improvement in symptoms was seen in the first 24 hours after people took Spravato.
How does Spravato Treatment Works
In order to begin treatment with Spravato, Avesta Ketamine and Wellness will order the medication for you, and we must pick it up on the day of your appointment. You are responsible for paying for Spravato directly to the pharmacy. We use Brookville pharmacy, conveniently located in our building. When you arrive for your appointment, you spray each nostril, with our guidance, and will be monitored for 2 hours at the clinic.
Spravato Treatment Considerations
If your insurance covers the cost of the drug and reimburses you for the clinic monitoring time, then Spravato may be right for you. However, if your insurance only covers a part of the above, it is advised that you weigh that against
a. The cost of the IV treatments,
b. The time it takes to do IV versus nasal (1hr versus 2hrs), and
c. Research has shown IV ketamine to be more effective than nasal.