Spravato® Treatment in Miami

Spravato® is a nasal spray with esketamine as the main ingredient. Esketamine originates from a specific part of the ketamine molecule, offering a higher potency than traditional ketamine treatments. This allows for effective treatment at lower doses and potentially results in fewer side effects.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has specifically approved Spravato® for nasal spray administration to treat individuals with:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal ideation (SI): MDD, also known as clinical depression, involves relentless feelings of sadness, emptiness, or irritability. The sense of hopelessness that many with MDD experience can fuel suicidal thoughts.
• Treatment-resistant depression (TRD): This is depression that remains unresponsive after you’ve tried at least two different antidepressant treatments. You may get a TRD diagnosis when various medication classes yield no significant improvement or the treatment results in unbearable side effects.

Since Spravato® nasal spray has received FDA approval, it’s typically covered by most health insurance plans, making it accessible to patients.

Spravato® operates differently from traditional antidepressant medications. Typical antidepressants work by boosting the levels of naturally occurring neurotransmitters—or chemical messengers—like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain, which can improve your mood.

In contrast, Spravato® targets glutamate, a neurotransmitter that helps your brain cells develop new communication pathways.This is especially relevant in depression, where there’s not enough communication across different brain regions, leading to symptoms such as persistent negative thoughts, cognitive impairments, and feelings of despair.

Spravato® can bring about improvements quickly, with many patients experiencing benefits after only a few sessions.

Our team has an established process for delivering this powerful form of ketamine treatment in Miami. It involves:

• Initial consultation and assessment: We start your journey with a consultation. You talk, we listen. We want to know how you feel and what makes you happy, sad, or stressed. We’ll also ask about any treatments you’ve tried before. This helps us understand your experiences and treatment needs.
• Creation of personalized treatment plan: Everyone is different, which is why we create a customized plan for each patient. We take what we learned in the consultation and discuss your treatment options with you.
• Treatment sessions: If Spravato® is the right treatment for you, you’ll take it in our office. AllSpravato® treatments must be administered in a medical environment under close supervision due to potential side effects. You’ll remain in our office until these side effects have subsided.
• Regular check-ins and modifications as needed: We want to ensure your treatments are working for you—so we’ll have regular sessions with you to see how you’re doing. These check-ins help identify if we need to change anything to make your treatment plan more effective. 

In addition to the steps above, we may suggest other treatment methods like talk therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)—which are also covered by insurance. The most effective depression interventions treat the condition on multiple levels.

Here are the steps we recommend to prepare for your Spravato® treatment.

1. Arrange transportation: Make sure to organize a ride home by asking someone you know or booking a ride-sharing service. You should not drive until the day after your treatment, following a restful night’s sleep.
2. Manage your diet: Avoid eating for four hours before your treatment and refrain from drinking any liquids for 30 minutes before your session. On treatment days, avoid light meals and greasy or heavy foods to reduce the risk of nausea or vomiting.
3. Handle medications carefully: If you’re using nasal decongestants or nasal corticosteroids, take them at least an hour before your Spravato® session to avoid increased blood pressure and/or sedation during treatment.
4. Substance restrictions: Abstain from alcohol for 24 hours before your treatment, as it can diminish the effectiveness of the session. If you’re taking Lamictal or benzodiazepines, avoid these within six hours of your treatment.
5. Ensure relaxation: Spend the evening before your session relaxing and engaging in activities you enjoy. Due to Spravato’s® perception-altering effects, it’s best to avoid stress-inducing media, movies, or music to ensure you’re calm for your treatment.

The most common side effects of Spravato®treatment include dizziness and a short-term rise in blood pressure. Additionally, it may cause sensations of disassociation or sedation. Typically, side effects are more pronounced during the first two sessions and tend to lessen with subsequent treatments.

Other potential side effects may involve:

• Nausea
• Sleepiness
• Headaches
• A feeling similar to intoxication
• Anxiety
• Elevated mood or excitement

We provide close supervision during treatment sessions to help you manage any side effects you may experience or adjust treatment if necessary.

Spravato®is best suited for those who do not have a history of alcohol or substance abuse disorders or significant medical conditions.

This treatment is not recommended if you have certain health issues, including:

• 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

As part of your consultation, we’ll help you determine if Spravato® treatment is right for you—or find a suitable alternative.

Depression can be challenging to navigate, but remember—you don’t have to face it alone. With the guidance of the professionals at Elevate Psychiatry, you can explore advanced treatment options like Spravato®. 

We offer Spravato® treatment at our three locations in South Florida:

• Coconut Grove
• Doral
• Brickell

Our team is committed to helping you find relief from treatment-resistant depression and guide you on your journey to better mental health.

Call (305) 908-1115 or book an appointment online today!