If you’ve tried antidepressant after antidepressant and still struggle with depression, you may feel frustrated, and rightly so. Treatment-resistant depression can impact your mental, emotional, and physical health, and unfortunately, about 30% of people diagnosed with depression struggle with treatment-resistant depression.
When standard medications don’t provide relief, it’s time to consider other evidence-based options. Spravato® is one of those options, and Dr. Hadi Estakhri offers it at Allied Psychiatry & Mental Health in Newport Beach, California.
Read on as we explain what Spravato is and when you might consider it.
Spravato is the brand name for esketamine, a prescription nasal spray approved by the FDA for adults with treatment-resistant depression.
Esketamine is one of the two mirror‑image forms of the ketamine molecule, known as an enantiomer. Spravato contains the S‑enantiomer, which research shows has stronger antidepressant effects.
Spravato is also approved for certain adults with major depressive disorder who experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Spravato isn’t taken at home. Dr. Estakri administers it in our office at Allied Psychiatry and Mental Health.
Most antidepressants take several weeks to show noticeable improvement. For people with treatment-resistant depression, multiple medication trials may bring little relief.
Unlike traditional antidepressants that primarily target serotonin, Spravato works on your brain’s glutamate system. This difference allows it to act more rapidly in some people.
While it’s not a cure, many people report reduced depressive symptoms when Spravato is combined with an oral antidepressant.
Spravato isn’t a first-line treatment. It’s typically considered when:
You don’t have to sort through these options alone. Dr. Estakhri conducts a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and determines whether Spravato is appropriate for you.
Spravato is administered as a nasal spray in our office. After each dose, you remain under medical observation for at least two hours to monitor for side effects.
Spravato treatment typically follows this schedule:
You may need treatments twice a week for the first four weeks (induction phase). After that, you may need weekly treatments for several weeks (optimization phase). Your maintenance phase can vary from weekly to every other week.
Because Spravato can cause temporary side effects such as dizziness, dissociation, or increased blood pressure, you’ll need someone to drive you home after each session. Side effects generally start to resolve within one hour of your spray.
When administered under the supervision of Dr. Estakhri, Spravato is considered safe and effective for eligible patients.
However, it’s not appropriate for everyone. For example, if you’re allergic to the ingredients in ketamine or Spravato or if you have a blood vessel disorder, you should explore other options.
If Spravato or ketamine infusions aren’t right for you, Dr. Estakhri reviews other options with you, including lifestyle changes and TMS treatments.
If you’ve tried multiple antidepressants and still feel stuck in persistent depression, you don’t have to continue without options.
Schedule a consultation today to discuss whether Spravato may be appropriate for your situation. Call our office at 949-945-0927 or book an appointment online.
