Answers to some frequently asked questions about SPRAVATO treatment. You may contact us or give a call us at 0678-296-0842 for any question that is not listed here
Esketamine is made from a drug called ketamine, an anesthetic used to treat depression since many years. In recent times FDA approved esketamine, a more potent version of ketamine, for use as a nasal spray to treat treatment-resistant depression.
Spravato is the new drug approved for depression by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in decades. Spravato is especially designed for those suffering from Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD). If you are currently diagnosed with depression and have not responded well to at least two different oral antidepressants, you may qualify for Spravato.
A Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) is a drug safety program that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires for certain medications with serious safety concerns. This is to ensure that the benefits of the medication outweigh its risks.
REMS Strategy is to ensure that Spravato is only administered in a REMS certified and medically supervised healthcare setting that provides patient monitoring and also to make sure that each patient is informed about serious adverse outcomes from dissociation and the need for monitoring them.
Spravato is meant for individuals who have Treatment Resistant Depression, that is depression that has not been responsive to standard treatment approaches with medications and therapy. If you are currently diagnosed with depression and have not responded well to at least two different oral antidepressants, you may qualify for Spravato.
To ensure that Spravato is administered safely and appropriately, it is only available at certified Spravato treatment centers. Your healthcare provider can refer you to a certified SPRAVATO® treatment center.
Before starting Spravato, talk to your healthcare provider about your depression treatment history, including if you have a history of abusing prescription / street drugs or alcoholism issues. Do not take Spravato if you have a blood vessel disease, history of bleeding in the brain, liver issues, if you are allergic to esketamine, ketamine or any other Spravato ingredients and also in case you are pregnant.
You can continue to take your oral antidepressant medication. Spravato nasal spray is approved for the treatment of depression in conjunction with other ongoing oral antidepressant medications.
Some side effects reported with Spravato include sedation and dissociation. Other possible serious side effects are temporary increase in blood pressure that may last about four hours after a dose, problems with clarity in thinking, bladder issues such frequent or urgent urination.
After administering Spravato, you will remain in one of our comfortable Wellness Suites for approximately two hours. Our trained Brain Spa caregivers will ensure you are safe and help alleviate any adverse side effects. Patients need to arrange for their transport or have someone accompany them back home.
Some patients undergoing the treatment may experience nausea or vomiting. Because of this reason, it is advisable to avoid eating two hours before, and drinking liquids 30 minutes before the treatment.
Spravato is to be taken twice a week for the first month. During the second month, it is to be taken once a week. After that, you’ll take it once a week or once every two weeks. The prescribed oral anti-depressant need to be continued.
There is no evidence that Spravato is addictive, if administered at small doses in a certified medical setting.
Prior authorization is required for services that take place in outpatient setting. This differs from Insurance to Insurance.
Every insurance company is different. At Brain Spa our goal is to take the burden of dealing with your insurance company off your shoulders and onto ours. After you provide us with your insurance information, we obtain preauthorization, manage your deductibles and co-pays and follow up with your insurance company to obtain payment.