Key Takeaways
Treatment option highlights for suicidal ideation:
- Rapid Relief: SPRAVATO can reduce depressive symptoms within 24 hours.
- Clinical Support: Treatment includes supervision and follow-up under REMS program.
- Proven Efficacy: Trials showed reduced suicidal thoughts in MDD patients after one dose.
- Individualized Care: Memor Health tailors SPRAVATO use to each patient’s history and needs.
Check out our Spravato treatment services.
When suicidal ideation intrudes, there’s no time to wait for traditional antidepressants to take effect. SPRAVATO®, a nasal spray version of esketamine, offers a rapid response, helping reduce symptoms in major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation.
At Memor Health, we provide SPRAVATO treatment for suicidal ideation in adult patients, backed by clinical expertise and compassionate care.
Depressive Symptoms and Rapid Relief with SPRAVATO
SPRAVATO is FDA-approved for adults with major depressive disorder who experience acute suicidal ideation or behavior. Unlike oral medications that may take weeks to work, esketamine nasal spray for rapid reduction of depressive symptoms in patients with major depression can begin working within 24 hours.
In a clinical trial, patients treated in outpatient settings showed a measurable reduction in suicidal thoughts or actions when exposed to SPRAVATO. These patients received the nasal spray plus oral antidepressant for treatment-resistant depression, demonstrating improvement in depressive symptoms in adults. This combination addresses the urgent needs of patients with MDD with acute suicidal ideation.
The nasal spray is approved for use under strict medical supervision. SPRAVATO is an NMDA receptor antagonist (blocker), and the exact mechanism by which it exerts antidepressant effects is unknown, though it may lead to complex downstream effects on neurotransmitter systems that help restore impaired neural circuits.
That’s how we achieve rapid reduction of depressive symptoms—even after the first dose of SPRAVATO. In patients with severe depression, this shift often marks the first moment of relief.
Clinical Trial Results: Reduction of Depressive Symptoms in Suicidal Patients
Pivotal clinical trials published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry studied patients with major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation or behavior. Those receiving SPRAVATO in conjunction with an oral antidepressant showed significant improvement in depressive symptoms at 24 hours, measured by the Montgomery-Åsberg depression rating scale.
Important Safety Information: The effectiveness of SPRAVATO in preventing suicide or in reducing suicidal ideation or behavior has not been demonstrated. While clinical trials show improvement in depressive symptoms, this should not be interpreted as evidence of suicide prevention.
Each dose of SPRAVATO is administered via a nasal spray device and monitored in our clinic. Patients are supervised for 2 hours after taking SPRAVATO to ensure safety. Adults with treatment-resistant depression experiencing active suicidal ideation with intent benefit most when treatment starts early in the episode. This clinical response supports SPRAVATO’s role in treating both depression and suicidal behavior.
How Memor Health Supports Suicidal Ideation and Behavior with SPRAVATO
At Memor Health, we screen for depressive symptoms in adults with MDD with acute suicidal ideation. If eligible, we begin treatment with SPRAVATO esketamine using a formal SPRAVATO Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program.
Due to post-marketing reports of respiratory depression and rare cases of respiratory arrest, patients must be monitored for changes in respiratory status by a healthcare provider for at least 2 hours (including pulse oximetry) at each treatment session, followed by an assessment to determine when the patient is considered clinically stable and ready to leave the healthcare setting. We also monitor for other risks associated with esketamine, particularly in patients with a history of suicidal behavior or other psychiatric conditions that present a higher risk.
Treatment with SPRAVATO is patient-centered. From first dose to long-term care, we support you with structured follow-up. We assess risk factors and symptom severity when designing your care plan. Many patients who received at least one dose of SPRAVATO experienced rapid improvement in depressive symptoms.
What to Know About SPRAVATO Before Getting Started
Before beginning treatment, we discuss key considerations in your consultation:
- Any history of suicidal behavior or major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation
- Previous exposure to SPRAVATO or other esketamine treatment
- Co-occurring psychiatric conditions that increase risk factors
- Goals for reducing depression symptoms and suicidal thinking
We also review the official SPRAVATO prescribing information. You’ll learn how to use the SPRAVATO nasal spray for rapid reduction under observation. If any side effects arise, we will consider clinical safety, including the possibility of discontinuing SPRAVATO.
We assess pediatric and young adult patients on a case-by-case basis. Our practices are shaped by current research, including data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System and studies led by the National Institute of Mental Health. These resources ensure treatment aligns with evolving best practices for depressive disorder in the United States.
SPRAVATO Treatment at Memor Health: Take the First Step
If you or someone you love is struggling with active suicidal ideation and intent, SPRAVATO may be the support you’ve been looking for. We offer SPRAVATO for suicidal ideation as part of a highly structured and compassionate care plan. Share your history of suicidal thinking, prior treatment experience, or concerns about symptoms with us. We’re here to treat depressive symptoms in adults and help reduce suicidal thinking through focused, individualized support.
If you’re ready to begin, speak with your provider or seek emergency help to learn how SPRAVATO works. Whether you’re facing suicidal behavior or symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder, we’re here to help you move from crisis to clarity with every dose of SPRAVATO.
