When
depression continues despite using traditional antidepressants, Spravato® may offer another treatment option. Spravato (esketamine) is a prescription nasal spray approved for adults with
treatment-resistant depression. But what is the typical treatment schedule for Spravato?
Unlike medications taken at home every day,
Spravato is administered on a structured schedule in a certified healthcare setting. Understanding the phases of treatment ahead of time can make starting this medication feel more manageable. If you have more questions about whether Spravato is right for you, reach out to our team at Genesis Behavioral Health Services.
What Is the Typical Spravato Treatment Schedule?
While individual treatment plans vary, Spravato therapy generally begins with more frequent appointments and gradually transitions to fewer visits as treatment progresses.
For adults with treatment-resistant depression, the recommended Spravato schedule is divided into an induction phase and a maintenance phase. During weeks one through four, Spravato is typically administered twice a week. This initial period is known as the induction phase.
At the end of the fourth week, the healthcare provider evaluates the patient’s response and determines whether continuing treatment is appropriate. During weeks five through eight, treatment generally decreases to once a week.
Beginning with week nine, treatment may continue either once weekly or once every two weeks. The prescribing information recommends individualizing the frequency and using the least frequent schedule needed to maintain the patient’s response.
Spravato treatment does not necessarily end after a predetermined number of weeks. The healthcare provider periodically evaluates the need for
continued therapy and adjusts the treatment plan when appropriate.
What Happens During Each Appointment?
Spravato is different from a prescription you pick up at the pharmacy and use on your own. Spravato must be
self-administered under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider in a certified medical setting.
After receiving Spravato, you must remain at the office for at least two hours. During this time, we monitor you for possible effects such as sedation, dissociation, respiratory depression, and changes in vital signs. You also need to arrange transportation home and should not drive or perform potentially hazardous activities until the following day after a restful sleep.
Why Does the Schedule Change Over Time?
Our goal is to customize your treatment schedule. This means we do not use a typical schedule for Spravato. Rather, we provide more frequent treatment early on and then reduce the frequency while maintaining your therapeutic response.
Our team will consider how well you respond, how long the improvement lasts between treatments, and whether you are experiencing
side effects. These ongoing assessments help determine whether weekly or every-other-week treatment is appropriate after the initial phases.
Making Spravato Part of Comprehensive Mental Health Care
Medication is often only one component of your mental health treatment. At Genesis Behavioral Health Services, you have access to a multidisciplinary team that includes licensed clinicians and psychiatric professionals. Your services can include individual and family therapy, psychiatric evaluations,
medication management, and Spravato for adults with treatment-resistant depression. Genesis also provides behavioral health services for adolescents, with treatment options designed to meet the needs of young people and their families.
When you are considering Spravato, having psychiatric and therapeutic services available within a comprehensive behavioral health practice can help support continuity of care throughout treatment.
Learn About the Typical Treatment Schedule for Spravato
A Spravato schedule requires a time commitment, particularly during the first several weeks. Knowing what the typical treatment schedule for Spravato is can make it easier to plan transportation, work, family responsibilities, and other obligations.
The team at
Genesis Behavioral Health Services can help determine whether Spravato may be appropriate for your needs and explain what your individual treatment schedule could involve. Contact our team to
request an appointment and learn more about treatment.
