SPRAVATO® (esketamine) Nasal Spray
An FDA approved nasal spray treatment for adults with treatment resistant depression. Available at our REMS certified treatment center in Oak Brook Illinois.
Boxed WARNING
SPRAVATO® may cause sedation, dissociation, and respiratory depression requiring monitored care. There is a risk of abuse and misuse. Antidepressant medications may increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people 24 years of age and younger. SPRAVATO® is not for use in children. Please read the full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and the Medication Guide, and discuss any questions with your healthcare provider.
Is SPRAVATO® right for you?
SPRAVATO® (esketamine) is a prescription nasal spray approved by the FDA for two specific uses in adults:
Treatment Resistant Depression
For adults whose depression has not responded to two or more oral antidepressants. SPRAVATO® can be used alone or with an oral antidepressant.
MDD with Suicidal Thoughts
For adults with major depressive disorder experiencing acute suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Used in combination with an oral antidepressant. Note that SPRAVATO® does not replace the need for hospitalization if your provider determines it is needed.
SPRAVATO® works on the glutamate system in your brain, which is involved in how brain cells communicate. This is different from most traditional antidepressants, which target serotonin or norepinephrine. SPRAVATO® is NOT approved for children. It is also NOT approved as a way to prevent or relieve pain.
Limitations of Use
The effectiveness of SPRAVATO® in preventing suicide or in reducing suicidal ideation or behavior has not been demonstrated. Use of SPRAVATO® does not preclude the need for hospitalization if clinically warranted. SPRAVATO® is not approved as an anesthetic agent.
What to expect at Mediverse Health
Initial Consultation
During your consultation, our healthcare provider reviews your medical history, treatment goals, and insurance coverage to determine if SPRAVATO® is right for you. Treatment is typically not administered on this first visit. Our team works with your insurance to confirm coverage and your costs prior to treatment. This process takes 1 to 2 weeks for prior authorization.
Treatment Sessions
On treatment days, you self administer SPRAVATO® nasal spray under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider in our certified treatment room. Plan to be at the clinic for approximately 2.5 hours: brief administration plus a required 2 hour monitoring period. Our staff watches your blood pressure, respiratory status, and other vital signs throughout. You CANNOT drive yourself home. Please arrange for a friend or family member to drive. Avoid eating for 2 hours before treatment and drinking for 30 minutes before.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Treatment with SPRAVATO® typically involves two phases. The induction phase consists of treatment 2 times per week for the first 4 weeks. If your provider decides to continue, the maintenance phase may continue at 1 time per week or 1 time every 2 weeks based on your response. Your provider works with you and your referring clinician to monitor progress.
Why Mediverse for SPRAVATO® Treatment
REMS Certified Facility
Mediverse Health is certified through the SPRAVATO® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. This federal program ensures safe administration of SPRAVATO® in qualified treatment centers.
Trained Medical Staff
Our staff is trained to administer SPRAVATO®, monitor patients during the required 2 hour observation period, and respond to any medical needs that arise during your visit.
Coordinated Care
We coordinate directly with your referring provider to monitor your progress and adjust your overall treatment plan. SPRAVATO® is part of comprehensive depression care, not a replacement for ongoing psychiatric or therapeutic care.
Insurance Support
Our care team works with your insurance provider to verify coverage, navigate prior authorization, and confirm your costs before you begin treatment.
Insurance and Cost
SPRAVATO® is covered by many insurance plans for eligible patients. Coverage and out of pocket costs depend on your specific plan and diagnosis. Our team verifies your benefits and obtains prior authorization before treatment begins. This process typically takes 1 to 2 weeks.
Plan coverage for SPRAVATO® varies. Contact us to verify your specific plan and benefits. For uninsured patients or those whose insurance does not cover SPRAVATO®, we can discuss patient assistance options.
Learn about SPRAVATO® withMe patient support program at www.spravato.com/patient-support-programFor Referring Healthcare Providers
Mediverse Health welcomes patient referrals from psychiatrists, primary care providers, mental health clinicians, and other treatment centers. Our care team coordinates directly with you to ensure continuity of care and clear communication throughout your patient's treatment.
Important Safety Information
SPRAVATO® can cause serious side effects, including:
Sedation, dissociation, and respiratory depression
SPRAVATO® may cause sleepiness, fainting, dizziness, spinning sensation, anxiety, or feeling disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, feelings, space and time (dissociation), breathing problems (respiratory depression and respiratory arrest). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you feel like you cannot stay awake or if you feel like you are going to pass out. Your healthcare provider must monitor you for serious side effects for at least 2 hours after taking SPRAVATO®.
Abuse and misuse
There is a risk for abuse and misuse with SPRAVATO®, which may lead to physical and psychological dependence. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.
SPRAVATO® REMS Program
Because of the risks for sedation, dissociation, respiratory depression, and abuse and misuse, SPRAVATO® is only available through a restricted program called the SPRAVATO® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program.
Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions
Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some people 24 years of age and younger, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. SPRAVATO® is not for use in children.
Common side effects
The most common side effects of SPRAVATO® when used along with an antidepressant include feeling disconnected, dizziness, nausea, feeling sleepy, spinning sensation, decreased sensitivity, feeling anxious, lack of energy, increased blood pressure, vomiting, feeling drunk, and feeling very happy or excited. If these common side effects occur, they usually happen right after taking SPRAVATO® and go away the same day.
Increased blood pressure
SPRAVATO® can cause a temporary increase in your blood pressure that may last about 4 hours after a dose. Your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure before treatment and for at least 2 hours after. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden severe headache, change in vision, or seizures after taking SPRAVATO®.
These are not all the possible side effects of SPRAVATO®. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1 800 FDA 1088. Please read the full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide for SPRAVATO® and discuss any questions with your healthcare provider.
Common Questions
- How is SPRAVATO® different from ketamine?
- SPRAVATO® (esketamine) is one of the two molecules that make up ketamine. Esketamine is the FDA approved form for treatment of adults with treatment resistant depression. SPRAVATO® is administered as a nasal spray under medical supervision in a REMS certified treatment center. Generic IV ketamine is sometimes used off label for some conditions but is NOT FDA approved for depression and is not what we offer at Mediverse Health.
- How long does SPRAVATO® treatment last?
- Treatment plans are personalized. The induction phase typically lasts 4 weeks with 2 sessions per week. If your provider decides to continue, the maintenance phase may continue at 1 session per week or 1 session every 2 weeks. Each session takes about 2.5 hours total: brief administration plus a 2 hour monitoring period.
- Can I drive home after treatment?
- No. You cannot drive yourself home after a SPRAVATO® session. Please arrange for a friend or family member to drive you. We recommend not making important decisions or operating heavy machinery on treatment days.
- Does insurance cover SPRAVATO®?
- Many insurance plans cover SPRAVATO® for eligible patients with treatment resistant depression. Coverage depends on your specific plan, diagnosis, and treatment history. Our team verifies benefits and obtains prior authorization before treatment begins. This process typically takes 1 to 2 weeks.
- Is SPRAVATO® addictive?
- There is a risk for abuse and misuse with SPRAVATO®, which may lead to physical and psychological dependence. Your healthcare provider screens for abuse history before treatment and monitors you during treatment. SPRAVATO® is a Schedule III controlled substance and can only be administered in a REMS certified facility.
- How quickly does SPRAVATO® work?
- Some patients may experience improvement in depressive symptoms within hours or days, though responses vary. Your provider monitors your response over the first 4 weeks (induction phase) to assess whether to continue treatment.
- Will I be conscious during treatment?
- Yes. You self administer the nasal spray and remain awake during the 2 hour monitoring period. You may feel sedated, dissociated, or sleepy. Our staff monitors you closely throughout.
- Do I need a referral to schedule a consultation?
- No referral is required to schedule a SPRAVATO® consultation at Mediverse Health. However, eligibility for SPRAVATO® requires documented treatment resistant depression, which means at least two oral antidepressants have not provided adequate response. Bring records of past treatments to your consultation.
- Where will I receive treatment?
- All SPRAVATO® treatments are administered at our Oak Brook IL clinic at 2210 Midwest Rd Suite 111. Treatment cannot be administered virtually or at home as this is a federal REMS requirement.
Take the Next Step
Schedule a consultation to learn whether SPRAVATO® may be right for you. Our team is here to answer your questions and guide you through the process.
SPRAVATO® is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson and its affiliated companies. Use of the SPRAVATO® name and product imagery on this site is conditional and does not constitute endorsement of Mediverse Health by Johnson & Johnson. Mediverse Health is solely responsible for the content of this page outside of the FDA required Important Safety Information and Prescribing Information links.