If you are struggling with treatment-resistant depression that is not responding to traditional treatments, you should consider esketamine nasal spray, also called SPRAVATO. We offer this therapy as an advanced treatment option for patients who have not responded to first-line therapy and medications and have exhausted other options.
Before you start Spravato, it is essential to understand how it works and the treatment process. How exactly does Spravato help relieve depression symptoms? How many weeks long is a Spravato treatment? We can answer any questions you may have during an initial consultation and address your concerns. This will help you feel empowered to make an informed decision about your mental health care.
SPRAVATO is a drug that delivers esketamine via a nasal spray. Esketamine belongs to a class of medications that act on glutamate receptors in your brain. Glutamate is a key neurotransmitter that is linked to your ability to learn and remember, as well as to mood regulation. Many conventional oral antidepressants work solely on serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. On the other hand, SPRAVATO can influence your glutamate system to help you improve your mood using a different mechanism. This distinct approach often shows promise in our patients who have tried multiple drugs with little success.
Your SPRAVATO treatment is usually divided into three distinct phases. During your initial phase of SPRAVATO therapy, you will receive treatment twice a week for about four weeks. After that, you will come in once a week for another four weeks. Once you complete the eight weeks of treatment, you will start the maintenance phase to sustain your improvement. At this time, you will receive treatments either weekly or every other week. This will be based on your specific needs and response to treatment. We schedule all our sessions carefully to optimize the medication’s effectiveness and closely monitor your progress.
Your SPRAVATO treatment session will generally last about two hours. You can expect each session to be structured as follows:
For your treatment, we will not only deliver the medication but also provide ongoing support and reassurance.
As with any medication, not everyone responds the same way to therapy. That is why the exact length of your SPRAVATO treatment may be longer or shorter than the typical duration. We may modify your treatment duration based on:
As part of your personalized treatment plan, your healthcare provider will continually assess your progress to tailor the duration and frequency of treatments.
While SPRAVATO treatment often provides rapid relief, achieving lasting mental wellness typically involves a comprehensive approach. As such, you may need to consider integrating lifestyle adjustments, such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep, to amplify the effectiveness of your SPRAVATO therapy.
Continued therapy or counseling sessions can also provide you with essential emotional support and coping strategies. Many individuals also find that maintaining social connections and engaging in meaningful activities help sustain progress. By actively participating in your ongoing treatment plan and making mindful life choices, you can extend the benefits of SPRAVATO beyond the initial treatment phase, promoting long-term resilience and emotional well-being.
If you are struggling with treatment-resistant mental health conditions, SPRAVATO treatment may be right for you. If you are concerned about the time commitment and are wondering, “How many weeks long is a Spravato treatment?”, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our team. We can walk you through the treatment timeline and what to expect throughout the process.