Important Safety Information:
SPRAVATO® carries FDA boxed warnings for sedation, dissociation, respiratory depression, abuse and misuse potential, and increased risk of suicidal thoughts in young adults. Because of these serious risks, patients must be monitored for at least 2 hours after each treatment session, and SPRAVATO is only available through a restricted FDA program called SPRAVATO® REMS. Healthcare settings must be certified, and all patients must be enrolled in the program before receiving treatment. Discuss these risks and safety requirements with your healthcare provider.
When it comes to SPRAVATO and therapy, combining the two can reshape your mental health treatment goals and help restore momentum. SPRAVATO, an FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression, can now be used either as a standalone treatment (monotherapy) or in combination with oral antidepressants, providing healthcare providers with flexible treatment options.
For adults with treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder, this innovative treatment option works best when used in conjunction with talk therapy. Together, they offer deeper and longer-lasting relief from their depression symptoms. This approach is a proven and effective treatment for individuals struggling with depression who have not responded to traditional medications or therapy alone.
Why Combine SPRAVATO® with Talk Therapy?
SPRAVATO® works differently than an antidepressant taken by mouth. As a nasal spray approved by the FDA, esketamine targets the NMDA receptor to rapidly treat depressive symptoms in adults. This includes symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder, suicidal thoughts, and sudden changes in mood.
SPRAVATO treatment delivers rapid relief—but it doesn’t replace the behavioral healing that happens in therapy. That’s where talk therapy changes the treatment process. By addressing trauma, patterns, and beliefs, therapy gives you long-term tools. When SPRAVATO and therapy are used in conjunction, they create space for both neurobiological repair and emotional breakthroughs.
Clinical trials demonstrate that some patients may experience symptom improvement as early as 24 hours, though individual response times may vary, with full therapeutic benefits typically assessed after the 4-week induction period.
Talk therapy alone may not provide enough momentum. But pairing it with SPRAVATO magnifies your ability to make lasting changes. This combination highlights the advantages of esketamine compared to other treatments.
Unlike ketamine therapy used in isolation, Unlike off-label ketamine infusions, SPRAVATO is FDA-approved specifically for treatment-resistant depression and can be effectively combined with ongoing emotional support through therapy for comprehensive treatment. Together, they work to treat depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder and support meaningful progress in the treatment of depression.
The SPRAVATO and Therapy Treatment Experience
SPRAVATO is administered in our office through the FDA-mandated REMS program, which requires healthcare settings to be specially certified and all patients to be enrolled in the program before receiving treatment. Administration occurs under direct supervision of trained healthcare providers. After you use the SPRAVATO nasal spray device, your healthcare provider must monitor you for serious side effects for at least 2 hours after taking SPRAVATO.
This observation window helps manage potential side effects, including dizziness, dissociation, or increased risk of suicidal thoughts. Two hours after treatment, once you’ve been cleared, you may begin your therapy session that same day or later in the week, depending on how esketamine works for you and your overall treatment goals.
Patients who combine SPRAVATO and therapy frequently report:
- Rapid relief from depression symptoms
- Stronger application of therapy skills between sessions
- Greater emotional clarity and stability throughout the treatment
This combined approach transforms the entire treatment experience for depression and other serious mental health conditions.
Personalized Plans for Adults with Treatment-Resistant Depression
Mental health is personal, and depression treatment must be as individualized as the people seeking care. If you’re struggling with treatment-resistant depression, and if you’ve tried multiple medications or talk therapy alone, SPRAVATO and therapy offer a targeted and effective treatment plan.
This combination addresses the biological and psychological aspects of depression. Clinical trial data supporting SPRAVATO’s efficacy show measurable symptom reduction in people with treatment-resistant depression. This dual approach often leads to relief when other methods have failed. It provides support for both the brain and behavior.
Your healthcare provider can tell you if you’re a candidate for SPRAVATO. We personalize your treatment plan based on your needs and prior experiences with it. Your provider will help you understand the differences between physical and psychological dependence, review potential side effects, and offer support throughout the process. Keep all follow-up visits and talk to your healthcare provider as scheduled. If you’re unsure, ask your provider if you have ever had limited response to oral antidepressants.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you feel any worsening symptoms or notice new or sudden changes in mood. For individuals struggling with depression, SPRAVATO and therapy together may finally offer the effective treatment you’ve been searching for.
