If your depression therapy journey has hit a plateau or hasn’t progressed at all, you aren’t out of options. Available in South Florida, esketamine/Spravato® therapy is an innovative mental health treatment.
Our guide will explain what Spravato® is, how it can be covered by insurance, and how you can safely use it to improve your depression symptoms.
If You’re Struggling, You Aren’t Alone: Florida Mental Health Stats
When you’re in the depths of depression or any other mental health condition, it’s easy to think you’re the only one struggling. However, the Sunshine State has a major mental health crisis. In 2022, we lost 3,446 Floridans to suicide, and the state’s suicide rate has increased 6% in the past 20 years.
Other important mental health statistics include:
- Each year, 1 in 5 Florida adults experiences mental illness.
- Over 7,800,000 Floridians live in a town without enough mental health professionals.
- Experiencing hurricanes and flooding can lead to increased mental health conditions.
- 835,000 Florida adults reported needing mental health treatment between 2018 and 2019, but not receiving it.
- The state’s lack of financial support makes it difficult for those in poverty to receive mental health care.
- A Floridian is 3 times more likely to be forced out-of-network for mental healthcare than for primary care.
Thankfully, there are now more solutions to address mental health needs, such as Spravato®.
What Is Esketamine Therapy (Spravato®)?
Spravato® is an innovative treatment FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal ideation (SI) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
Spravato®’s main ingredient is esketamine, a branch of the ketamine molecule. It has a greater potency at lower concentrations than ketamine, in addition to not having the same degree of side effects as ketamine.
What makes esketamine therapy for depression different from other treatments is that it creates new communication pathways in your brain, compared to boosting levels of naturally occurring neurotransmitters.
Creating new brain pathways is important because the fewer pathways you have, the more severe depression symptoms can be.
One study showed that 22.5% of patients taking Spravato® achieved remission in just 4 weeks!
How Spravato® Treatment Works
Spravato® must be administered in person under the watchful eyes of a certified practitioner. Here’s what you can expect from a Spravato® session in our Doral or Coconut Grove location.
Consultation
First and foremost, you’ll meet with one of our providers to discuss your needs and determine if Spravato® is the path for you. The consultation will include your medical history (if we don’t already have it), past experiences with mental healthcare, and your goals for your mental health.
Having a full picture of you as a person allows us to better treat your condition.
Treatment
If you do have Spravato® therapy, our session will be held in one of our offices. Under our guidance, you will self-administer the nasal medication. We will then supervise you for the next two hours to ensure that you are comfortable and not experiencing negative side effects.
After each session, you simply take it easy for the rest of the day.
Note: You should have someone drive you home because it’s not advisable to drive or operate heavy machinery after a Spravato® session.
The sessions can be once or twice a week for two to four weeks, depending on your needs.
Here is how Spravato® is administered.
Source: https://www.drugs.com/dosage/spravato.html
Adjustments as Necessary
As you continue with Spravato® therapy, we will adjust your treatment plan as needed. We’ll determine any changes through check-ins, either in person or online, to see how you’re feeling and if the treatment is helping.
Depending on your answers, we will either continue as planned or make some changes. These changes may be to increase the number of sessions or add complementary treatments such as talk therapy or TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) therapy.
Either way, we are determined to help our Florida patients feel better.
Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Esketamine/Ketamine Therapy?
Floridians with major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression are the best candidates for esketamine/ketamine therapy.
Spravato® should NOT be taken by those under 18 and those with:
- A history of substance abuse
- Blood vessel disease
- A history of brain hemorrhage
- An abnormal connection between veins and arteries
- Allergies to esketamine, ketamine, or any of Spravato’s® ingredients
Eskatmine/Ketamine Therapy Side Effects
While Spravato® is a safe and effective treatment, it can have side effects, which include:
- Sedation (48% to 61% Spravato® patients experienced sedation in test trials).
- Loss of consciousness ( 0.3% to 0.4% Spravato® patients experienced loss of consciousness in test trials).
- Dissociation (61% to 84% Spravato® patients experienced dissociation in test trials).
- Changes in blood pressure (3% to 19% Spravato® patients experienced an increase of more than 40 mmHg in systolic BP and/or 25 mmHg in diastolic BP in the first 1.5 hours after administration in test trials).
If you have safety concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Does Insurance in South Florida Cover Spravato® Therapy?
Yes, many insurance companies in South Florida cover esketamine/Spravato® therapy, thanks to the FDA’s approval. While its approval can vary by company, if you are diagnosed with MDD or TRD and previous treatments have been unsuccessful, our medical providers can easily make the case that Spravato® is “medically necessary”.
Elevate Psychiatry treatments are covered by numerous insurances, making Ketamine therapy costs affordable. Our providers are more than happy to talk to your insurance company if you are having trouble getting coverage approved.
Disproving Spravato® Myths
There is much confusion regarding Spravato® therapy, which leads to a lot of misinformation. Here is the truth about Spravato®.
| Myth | Fact |
| Spravato® is no different from other antidepressants. | Spravato® is different from traditional antidepressants because it creates new communication pathways in the brain instead of boosting neurotransmitters. |
| Spravato® is addictive. | Due to being administered under the care of a medical professional, addiction risks are low with Spravato®. |
| Spravato® is all you need to cure depression. | While Spravato® is a powerful new treatment, the best results are when it’s partnered with other antidepressants or forms of treatment. |
| Spravato® is dangerous. | When taken under the care of a certified medical professional, Spravato® is very safe to use. |
| Spravato® is just another way to get “high”. | While many people feel similar to being intoxicated during sessions, Spravato® is not a recreational drug. |
How to Choose a South Florida Spravato® Provider
The most important thing to look for in a South Florida Spravato® therapy provider is that they are certified. Certification means your clinician is trained to administer treatment safely and in line with FDA standards.
It’s also important to feel comfortable with your provider and confident they understand your unique needs. Some providers specialize in areas such as trauma, disaster-related stress, or relationship concerns, which can be especially valuable depending on your background.
A clean and professional clinic matters, too. Look for one that offers a welcoming space and individualized attention. Ask potential clinics for a tour and about their patient-to-provider ratio, appointment availability, and scheduling process.
If needed or appreciated, consider whether the clinic has bilingual staff and providers to ensure accessible care in the Miami area.
Patient Reviews
“I sincerely think Elevate Psychiatry—both for evaluations/follow-ups and for the Spravato® treatment—has saved me from being a low-functioning mental health patient. The Spravato® treatments have drastically improved my depression, as my weekly evaluations with Dr. Bhatia have proven. Dolly Rexach and Dr. Bhatia are very understanding, non-judgmental, and honest. Tammy is also extremely warm and inviting. I highly recommend.”—M.L.
“I do the Spravato® treatment here, and it’s helped my mental health do a 180. I’m so glad I agreed to give it a shot. Love the employees there too!”—N. M.
“I have no words to describe the excellent care at Elevate Psychiatry in Doral. Starting with the ladies at the front desk, who are exceptionally attentive, super friendly, and always ready to answer your questions with a smile. My Spravato® coordinator, Francis, always treats me with great care, empathy, and dedication. Dr. Debora is an incredible professional, committed to her work, but above all, to her patients.
When I walk through the door of Elevate Psychiatry Doral, I don't feel like I'm entering a doctor's office; with the human quality of this place, I feel at home. THANK YOU for making my treatment more bearable.”—G. P.
Transform Your Mental Health Care Today
You don’t have to settle when it comes to your mental healthcare. Spravato® may be the breakthrough that you need. Schedule a consultation today and experience a new way of treating mental health.
