SPRAVATO® Nasal Spray  

MindPeace Clinics Our Services SPRAVATO® Nasal Spray
MindPeace Clinics - - Ketamine Infusion Clinic

MindPeace Clinics

Ketamine Infusion Clinic & Pain Management Specialists located in Richmond, VA & Arlington, VA

If you’re struggling with treatment-resistant depression, you’re not alone. Patrick Oliver, MD, and his experienced team at MindPeace Clinics in Richmond, Arlington, and Norfolk, Virginia and Washington, D.C., understand that treatment-resistant depression feels especially frustrating and debilitating. Fortunately, Dr. Oliver offers the latest treatment-resistant medication to help improve your symptoms. SPRAVATO® is a fast-acting nasal spray that’s been shown to reduce the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression. For more information, call MindPeace Clinics or book an appointment online.

SPRAVATO® Nasal Spray Q & A

What is SPRAVATO®?

SPRAVATO®, or esketamine, is an FDA-approved nasal spray designed to reduce the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression — depression that doesn’t improve after taking at least two different antidepressants.

While a relatively new treatment, SPRAVATO® has been shown to relieve depression symptoms when combined with an oral antidepressant. In a clinical study, SPRAVATO® improved many participants’ depression symptoms within the first 24 hours compared to those taking a placebo.

Is SPRAVATO® right for me?

SPRAVATO® contains esketamine, which is similar to the well-known anesthetic ketamine.

Esketamine itself can help improve the symptoms of depression within hours, which makes it a desirable treatment for many struggling to find the right antidepressant, but it is a highly addictive controlled substance.

For that reason, SPRAVATO® is currently only available through tight distribution and close monitoring by a trained medical professional like Dr. Oliver.

To ensure the best results in treating your depression, Dr. Oliver and his team only use SPRAVATO® at their office, as this groundbreaking treatment must be administered in a medically supervised setting. 

You will receive eight treatments twice a week for four weeks. Plan to spend 2.5 hours at each appointment. You give yourself the nasal spray at the start of your appointment, then the medical team monitors you closely for at least two hours. They watch your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation, and check for signs of negative side effects.

After you finish your initial eight-week treatment, you may need to get a booster once every week.

Does SPRAVATO® have any side effects?

As a controlled substance, SPRAVATO® carries the risk of dependence. That’s why it’s important to try this advanced treatment under the care of a ketamine specialist like Dr. Oliver. Some other potential SPRAVATO® side effects include:

  • Grogginess and fatigue
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Blood pressure increase
  • Inability to drive or operate heavy machinery
  • Dissociation (feeling disconnected from your body)
  • Suicidal thoughts in young adults

Because of the side effects associated with SPRAVATO®, Dr. Oliver requires a comprehensive evaluation and screening process before you can be cleared to try this new medication.

During this screening process, Dr. Oliver reviews your family and medical history, as well as your previous medications, to determine whether SPRAVATO® is the right medication for your treatment-resistant depression.

If you haven’t seen any improvements in your depression after trying at least two different antidepressants, schedule an appointment with Dr. Oliver to find out more about SPRAVATO®. Call MindPeace Clinics or book a consultation online.