SPRAVATO

SPRAVATO is a medication that is prescribed to be taken orally along with an antidepressant. It is used to treat adults who have treatment-resistant depression (TRD) or adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) who also have suicidal thoughts or actions.

Consistent treatment with Spravato usually takes a few weeks to show its full therapeutic effects. The treatment plan typically includes two sessions per week for the first month, followed by one session per week for the next four weeks.

During the study period, there were a total of nine deaths, accounting for 0.8% of the cases. Out of these nine deaths, three were attributed to COVID-19, two were caused by pneumonia, and one was a result of completed suicide, as reported in the study.

According to their claims, Spravato is a novel drug designed to treat depression that is resistant to other treatments. However, it is difficult to identify any specific benefits that Spravato offers over ketamine. Moreover, its cost is definitely not one of its advantages. Our investigation reveals that Spravato will be sold at a wholesale price ranging from $590 to $885 per dose!

To qualify for Spravato depression medication treatment, patients must be 18 years or older and have treatment-resistant depression (TRD), meaning they have not seen significant improvement after trying at least 2 different classes of antidepressants for at least 4 weeks each. In some cases, trying one antidepressant may also qualify.

Ketamine treatments are typically not covered by insurance companies due to their experimental nature and lack of FDA approval. As a result, individuals are required to pay for these treatments out of pocket. However, Esketamine (Spravato) is generally covered by insurance, including Medicare, as it has received FDA approval and has been extensively studied to be both effective and safe.

Spravato may induce a temporary state of dissociation, resulting in feelings of spaciness, intoxication, or euphoria. It can also cause drowsiness immediately following administration. Therefore, it is advised not to drive after receiving treatment, but alternative transportation options such as Uber or public transport can be utilized.

For the first month of treatment, you will need to visit the clinic twice a week to self-administer your SPRAVATO® dose and remain under observation for two hours. In the following month, most patients only need to come in once a week. After that, you can continue with the treatment for as long as necessary.

The duration of Spravato treatment varies depending on the patient’s condition and its severity. Although it is typically not prescribed as a long-term solution, there are cases where it may be used for an extended period. When taken as directed and for the appropriate duration, Spravato has the potential to rapidly alleviate suicidal thoughts/actions and provide long-term relief from depression symptoms.

According to clinical trials, it has been observed that many patients start to experience significant improvement in their depressive symptoms after four weeks of treatment with Spravato.

You are not allowed to use SPRAVATO® by yourself. You will be responsible for administering SPRAVATO® nasal spray while being supervised by a healthcare professional at a certified SPRAVATO® treatment center. You have the option to select a location that is most convenient for you, and your healthcare provider can assist you in finding one.

Upon further analysis, it was found that 27.1% of patients using Spravato achieved remission at eight weeks, while only 17.6% of patients using quetiapine achieved the same. Additionally, the remission rates for Spravato patients continued to rise, with 55% achieving remission at 32 weeks compared to 37% of patients in the comparator group.

Spravato (esketamine) contains a key component that helps establish synapses, or connections, between brain cells that are often deficient in individuals with depression. By facilitating connections between more cells simultaneously, the medication is more likely to have a comprehensive impact on the individual.

Spravato has the potential to cause dependence and misuse, but addiction was not reported as a side effect in the drug’s studies.

To treat depressive symptoms in adults with MDD who have acute suicidal ideation or behavior, it is recommended to administer SPRAVATO alongside an oral antidepressant (AD). The recommended dosage of SPRAVATO is 84 mg twice per week for 4 weeks, which may be reduced to 56 mg twice per week if necessary due to tolerability issues.

Studies have found that IV racemic ketamine is more effective than Spravato, as Spravato only contains the s-isomer.

According to clinical studies, patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression experienced symptom improvements approximately four weeks after initiating Spravato treatment, in contrast to those who received a placebo nasal spray.

No, weight gain is not a known side effect of Spravato. Clinical trials of the drug did not report any instances of weight gain. However, it is important to note that weight gain can be a side effect of certain other medications used to treat depression, such as Abilify (aripiprazole) and Symbyax (fluoxetine/olanzapine).

Consistent treatment with Spravato usually takes a few weeks to show its full therapeutic effects. The treatment plan typically includes two sessions per week for the first month, followed by one session per week for the next four weeks.

Taking SPRAVATO® can lead to significant side effects such as drowsiness, loss of consciousness, lightheadedness, a sensation of spinning, anxiety, or a feeling of detachment from oneself, thoughts, emotions, or surroundings (dissociation). Your healthcare professional will observe you for a minimum of two hours following the administration of SPRAVATO®.

There were no significant changes in average body weight observed in the short-term, phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of the SPRAVATO nasal spray.

If you experience sleepiness, fainting, dizziness, a spinning sensation, anxiety, or a feeling of being disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, feelings, space, and time while taking SPRAVATO®, it is important to inform your healthcare provider immediately. Additionally, if you find it difficult to stay awake or feel like you are about to lose consciousness, seek medical attention right away.

Esketamine nasal spray has the potential to induce agitation, irritability, and other abnormal behaviors in certain individuals. Additionally, it may lead to the emergence of suicidal thoughts and tendencies, as well as exacerbate depressive symptoms in some people.

Ketamine infusion therapy has been extensively studied and improved over the past two decades. Clinical research has shown an impressive success rate of up to 70% in treating conditions such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

Spravato functions in a unique manner compared to other medications. Instead of targeting dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, it raises glutamate levels. Glutamate is the brain’s most prevalent neurotransmitter. By boosting glutamate, Esketamine improves cognitive functions related to learning and memory and effectively relieves depression symptoms.

It is not advised to use SPRAVATO® during pregnancy or while breastfeeding as it may harm your baby. Please inform your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed.

Ketamine and Esketamine (Spravato) have been found to be effective in treating anxiety. In addition to its benefits for depression, ketamine has also shown positive results in treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD or Social Phobia).

SPRAVATO® should not be used in patients who are at serious risk of increased blood pressure or intracranial pressure, such as those with aneurysmal vascular disease, arteriovenous malformation, or a history of intracerebral hemorrhage.