What to Expect During Spravato Treatment
What to Expect During Spravato Treatment
If you are considering Spravato® (esketamine) treatment for depression, it is natural to have questions about what the experience will actually be like. What happens during a Spravato appointment? How long does treatment take? What does Spravato feel like? And what should you expect afterward?
Spravato is an
FDA-approved nasal spray used to treat certain forms of depression, including
treatment-resistant depression. Unlike traditional antidepressants that are taken daily, Spravato is administered in a healthcare setting under medical supervision.
At
Compass of Hope, we provide Spravato treatment in
Hooksett and
Hampton, NH, in a comfortable, supportive environment designed to help you feel informed and at ease throughout the process.
What is Spravato?
Spravato is the brand name for esketamine, a medication that works differently from many traditional antidepressants. It is a nasal spray that is self-administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
Spravato may be prescribed for adults with treatment-resistant depression, or in certain circumstances, for adults with depressive symptoms associated with major depressive disorder with acute suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Your provider will evaluate your symptoms, medical history, current medications, and treatment history to determine whether Spravato may be appropriate for you.
What Happens During a Spravato Appointment?
A typical Spravato appointment lasts approximately two hours. The medication itself is administered earlier in the visit, followed by a period of observation and monitoring.
- You will check in with our team: When you arrive, our administrative and clinical team will help you get settled and review what to expect during your appointment.
- You will self administer Spravato:
Spravato is administered as a nasal spray under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Your care team will explain how to use the device and will remain available throughout the appointment. You will not be left to manage the treatment on your own.
The goal is to provide a safe, structured experience while allowing you to focus on yourself and your treatment. - You will have time to reset and relax: After administering Spravato, you will spend time in a comfortable treatment setting while your care team checks in on you.
Some people choose to:
- Rest or close their eyes
- Listen to calming music
- Practice relaxation or breathing exercises
- Simply sit quietly and allow the medication to take effect
You may experience temporary changes in how you perceive your surroundings. Some people describe feeling relaxed, drowsy, detached, or “dreamlike.
What Does Spravato Feel Like?
One of the most common questions about Spravato treatment is what the medication actually feels like.
Spravato can cause temporary side effects, such as:
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Feeling relaxed
- A sensation of being detached from your surroundings
- Changes in perception
- A dreamlike or unusual feeling
- Temporary increases in blood pressure.
These effects generally occur during the observation period and decrease as the medication wears off.
Your clinical team will check in with you throughout the appointment and determine when it is appropriate for you to leave.
How Long Does Spravato Treatment Take?
Plan to spend about two hours at the clinic for each Spravato appointment.
While the nasal spray itself does not take two hours to administer, the full appointment includes preparation, administration, monitoring, and recovery time.
Because you may experience temporary drowsiness, dizziness, or changes in perception, our team will ensure that you get in the passenger seat for the drive home.
How Often Do You Receive Spravato?
Spravato treatment typically begins with a more frequent schedule and may become less frequent over time depending on your response to treatment.
A common treatment schedule is:
- Weeks 1-4: Two treatments per week
- Weeks 5-8: One treatment per week
- After Week 8: Maintenance treatment based on your individual response
Your provider will determine the appropriate treatment schedule for you. The frequency and duration of Spravato therapy can vary depending on your symptoms, response to treatment, and overall care plan.
Spravato is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Your progress is evaluated throughout the process so your treatment plan can be adjusted as needed.
What Happens After Spravato Treatment?
After your Spravato dose, you will remain at the clinic while our team monitors you.
You should not drive, operate machinery, or engage in activities requiring full alertness until the following day after a restful night’s sleep. For this reason, it is recommended to plan your Spravato appointments around your schedule and arrange transportation ahead of time.
Many people find it helpful to keep the remainder of their treatment day relatively low-key, giving themselves time to rest and transition back into their normal routine.
Is Spravato Treatment Safe?
Spravato is administered under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) because of potential risks associated with the medication. This means treatment must take place in a certified healthcare setting with appropriate monitoring.
Potential side effects can include dizziness, nausea, sedation, increased blood pressure, and dissociation. Your provider will discuss the potential benefits and risks of treatment with you before you begin.
Having a trained clinical team present throughout your appointment allows your response to treatment to be monitored closely.
Spravato & Therapy: A Whole-Person Approach
Medication can be an important part of depression treatment, but many people benefit from combining medication-based care with therapy and other forms of support.
At Compass of Hope, Spravato treatment can be incorporated into a broader, personalized mental health treatment plan. Depending on your needs, this may include
counseling,
psychiatric care,
medication management, and other supportive services.
The goal is not simply to get through an individual Spravato appointment. It is to understand what is contributing to your symptoms and develop a treatment plan that supports your overall well-being.
What Should You Bring to a Spravato Appointment?
Your provider will give you specific instructions before your first treatment, but it can be helpful to come prepared for a quiet period of rest and observation.
Consider bringing:
- Headphones and calming music
- A book or other quiet activity
- Comfortable clothing
- Any questions you want to discuss with your care team
You should also follow your provider’s instructions regarding eating, drinking, and medications before treatment?
Is Spravato Right for You?
If you have been living with depression that has not improved enough with traditional treatments, you may be wondering whether Spravato for treatment-resistant depression could be an option.
The first step is an evaluation with a qualified healthcare provider. Your provider will review your medical and mental health history and discuss whether esketamine treatment is appropriate for your individual situation.
Spravato is not right for everyone, and treatment decisions should always be made in partnership with a qualified medical professional.
Begin Your Spravato Treatment Journey
Starting a new depression treatment can feel like a big decision. Knowing what to expect can make the process feel more manageable.
At Compass of Hope, our team provides medically supervised Spravato treatment in Hooksett and Hampton, NH, with a compassionate, individualized approach. From your initial evaluation through ongoing treatment, we focus on helping you understand your options and feel supported throughout the process.
If you are interested in learning whether Spravato treatment may be right for you,
contact Compass of Hope to schedule an evaluation and take the next step toward personalized depression care.
