SPRAVATO (esketamine) is a nasal spray medication approved by the FDA for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). SPRAVATO is not like other antidepressants because it works differently. It’s a fast-acting antidepressant that can provide relief within hours or days for people with TRD. In this blog, we’ll explain how SPRAVATO works and what you need to know about this new treatment option.
How does SPRAVATO work?
The active ingredient in SPRAVATO, esketamine, is a glutamate receptor modulator. Esketamine works by binding to and activating the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The NMDA receptor is involved in the regulation of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in learning and memory.
Activation of the NMDA receptor by esketamine is thought to increase synaptic plasticity and neuronal connectivity, which may help to reverse the changes that occur in the brain of people with TRD.
In other words, SPRAVATO helps to restore healthy brain function in people with TRD.
What are the benefits of SPRAVATO?
The most significant benefit of SPRAVATO is that it is a fast-acting antidepressant. In fact, the peak concentration of esketamine in the body is between 20 and 40 minutes. Spravato nasal spray was clinically shown to significantly improve depression symptoms better than a placebo, with some patients seeing results in just two days.
Moreover, according to Medical News Today, “In a clinical study lasting 4 weeks for treatment resistant depression (TRD), Spravato reduced symptoms of depression in people taking the drug.
One group was given Spravato and an oral antidepressant. The other group was given a placebo (treatment with no active drug) and an oral antidepressant. Depression symptoms were measured on a scale of zero to 60, with higher scores indicating worse depression symptoms.
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.”
Other benefits of SPRAVATO include:
- It is well tolerated. The most common side effects of SPRAVATO are nausea, dizziness, headache, dissociation (feeling disconnected from oneself), and vomiting. These side effects are typically mild and go away within a few hours.
- It is easy to use. SPRAVATO is a nasal spray that is self-administered under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
- It has a low risk of abuse and dependence. Esketamine has a low potential for abuse and dependence compared to other drugs of abuse.
What are the risks of SPRAVATO?
Other potential risks include:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Vomiting
- An increase in blood pressure
- An increase in heart rate
While SPRAVATO is generally well tolerated, there are some risks associated with its use. The most serious potential side effect is dissociation, which can cause people to feel disconnected from their surroundings, themselves, or time.
At PsyFi TMS, we are committed to providing our patients with the latest and most effective treatment options for TRD. If you or someone you know is struggling with TRD, please contact us to learn more about SPRAVATO and how it can help: info@psyfitms.com
