SPRAVATO® for Treatment-Resistant Depression

LumiClinics is a REMS-certified SPRAVATO® treatment center. If two antidepressants have not worked for you, this is worth a conversation.

The SPRAVATO treatment room at LumiClinics, with a recliner and blankets for the 2 hour monitoring period
The SPRAVATO treatment room at LumiClinics, with a recliner and blankets for the 2 hour monitoring period

SPRAVATO® is the only FDA-approved nasal spray for adults with treatment-resistant depression. It can be taken with or without an oral antidepressant.

Who it is for

Treatment-resistant depression means depression that has not responded adequately to at least two antidepressants, each taken at an adequate dose for an adequate length of time. That is a common situation and it is not a sign that treatment has run out.

Eligibility is determined during a consultation, not on a website. Whether SPRAVATO® is appropriate depends on your history, your current medications and other clinical factors.

What a treatment visit involves

SPRAVATO® is only administered in a certified healthcare setting under the REMS program. It is not dispensed to take home.

  • You self-administer the nasal spray at our office, under supervision
  • A healthcare provider monitors you for at least 2 hours afterwards, and decides when you are ready to leave
  • You cannot drive yourself home, so arrange transport in advance
  • Treatment happens on a schedule set with your prescriber rather than on demand

The 2 hour monitoring period is why our treatment room is set up the way it is, with a recliner, blankets and a quiet space rather than a standard exam room.

Talking to us about it

The first step is a consultation, not a booking. We review what you have already tried, whether SPRAVATO® is a reasonable option for you, and what your insurance covers. If it is not the right fit we will say so and talk through other options for depression.

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911. This website is not for emergencies.

Common questions

Is SPRAVATO the same as ketamine?
SPRAVATO is esketamine, delivered as a nasal spray, and it is FDA approved for adults with treatment-resistant depression. It is administered only in a certified healthcare setting under the REMS program.
Can I take it at home?
No. SPRAVATO is administered in a REMS-certified healthcare setting and is not dispensed for home use. You are monitored on site for at least 2 hours after each dose.
Will I be able to drive home?
No. You will need to arrange transportation. Your provider decides when you are ready to leave after the monitoring period.
How do I find out if I am eligible?
Through a consultation. Eligibility depends on your treatment history and other clinical factors, so it is not something we can determine from a form.

Indications and Important Safety Information

Indications

SPRAVATO® (esketamine) CIII Nasal Spray is indicated for the treatment of:

  • Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in adults as monotherapy or in conjunction with an oral antidepressant.
  • Depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) with acute suicidal ideation or behavior in conjunction with an oral antidepressant.

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, even if patients experience improvement after an initial dose of SPRAVATO®. SPRAVATO® is not approved as an anesthetic agent. The safety and effectiveness of SPRAVATO® as an anesthetic agent have not been established.

What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?

SPRAVATO® can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Sedation, dissociation, and respiratory depression. SPRAVATO® may cause sleepiness (sedation), fainting, dizziness, spinning sensation, anxiety, or feeling disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, feelings, space and time (dissociation), and 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®. Your healthcare provider will decide when you are ready to leave the healthcare setting.
  • Abuse and misuse. There is a risk for abuse and misuse with SPRAVATO®, which may lead to physical and psychological dependence. Your healthcare provider should check you for signs of abuse, misuse, and dependence before and during treatment.
    • Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.
    • Your healthcare provider can tell you more about the differences between physical and psychological dependence in drug addiction.
  • SPRAVATO® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). 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. SPRAVATO® can only be administered at healthcare settings certified in the SPRAVATO® REMS Program. Patients treated in outpatient healthcare settings (such as medical offices and clinics) must be enrolled in the 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.
    • Depression and other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Some people may have a higher risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions. These include people who have (or have a family history of) depression or a history of suicidal thoughts or actions.

How can I watch for and try to prevent suicidal thoughts and actions in myself or a family member?

  • Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings, or if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions.
  • Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings, or if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions.
  • Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider as scheduled. Call your healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you have concerns about symptoms.

Tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you or your family member have any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:

  • thoughts about suicide or dying
  • suicide attempts
  • new or worse depression
  • new or worse anxiety
  • feeling very agitated or restless
  • panic attacks
  • trouble sleeping (insomnia)
  • new or worse irritability
  • acting aggressive, being angry or violent
  • acting on dangerous impulses
  • an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
  • other unusual changes in behavior or mood

Do not take SPRAVATO® if you:

  • have blood vessel (aneurysmal vascular) disease (including in the brain, chest, abdominal aorta, arms and legs)
  • have an abnormal connection between your veins and arteries (arteriovenous malformation)
  • have a history of bleeding in the brain
  • are allergic to esketamine, ketamine, or any of the other ingredients in SPRAVATO®.

If you are not sure if you have any of the above conditions, talk to your healthcare provider before taking SPRAVATO®.

Before you take SPRAVATO®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have heart or brain problems, including:
    • high blood pressure (hypertension)
    • slow or fast heartbeats that cause shortness of breath, chest pain, lightheadedness, or fainting
    • history of heart attack
    • history of stroke
    • heart valve disease or heart failure
    • history of brain injury or any condition where there is increased pressure in the brain
  • have liver problems
  • have ever had a condition called “psychosis” (see, feel, or hear things that are not there, or believe in things that are not true).
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. SPRAVATO® may harm your unborn baby. You should not take SPRAVATO® if you are pregnant.
    • Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with SPRAVATO®.
    • If you are able to become pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about methods to prevent pregnancy during treatment with SPRAVATO®.
    • There is a pregnancy registry for women who are exposed to SPRAVATO® during pregnancy. The purpose of the registry is to collect information about the health of women exposed to SPRAVATO® and their baby. If you become pregnant during treatment with SPRAVATO®, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-844-405-6185 or online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants/.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. SPRAVATO® passes into your breast milk. You should not breastfeed during treatment with SPRAVATO®.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines that you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Taking SPRAVATO® with certain medicine may cause side effects.

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take central nervous system (CNS) depressants, psychostimulants, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) medicine. Keep a list of them to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How will I take SPRAVATO®?

  • You will take SPRAVATO® nasal spray yourself, under the supervision of a healthcare provider in a healthcare setting. Your healthcare provider will show you how to use the SPRAVATO® nasal spray device.
  • Your healthcare provider will tell you how much SPRAVATO® you will take and when you will take it.
  • Follow your SPRAVATO® treatment schedule exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to.
  • During and after each use of the SPRAVATO® nasal spray device, you will be checked by a healthcare provider who will decide when you are ready to leave the healthcare setting.
  • You will need to plan for a caregiver or family member to drive you home after taking SPRAVATO®.
  • If you miss a SPRAVATO® treatment, your healthcare provider may change your dose and treatment schedule.
  • Some people taking SPRAVATO® get nausea and vomiting. You should not eat for at least 2 hours before taking SPRAVATO® and not drink liquids at least 30 minutes before taking SPRAVATO®.
  • If you take a nasal corticosteroid or nasal decongestant medicine take these medicines at least 1 hour before taking SPRAVATO®.

What should I avoid while taking SPRAVATO®?

Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything where you need to be completely alert after taking SPRAVATO®. Do not take part in these activities until the next day following a restful sleep. See “What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?”

What are the possible side effects of SPRAVATO®?

SPRAVATO® may cause serious side effects including:

  • See “What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?”
  • Increased blood pressure. SPRAVATO® can cause a temporary increase in your blood pressure that may last for about 4 hours after taking a dose. Your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure before taking SPRAVATO® and for at least 2 hours after you take SPRAVATO®. 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®.
  • Problems with thinking clearly. Tell your healthcare provider if you have problems thinking or remembering.
  • Bladder problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop trouble urinating, such as a frequent or urgent need to urinate, pain when urinating, or urinating frequently at night.

The most common side effects of SPRAVATO® include:

  • feeling disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, feelings and things around you
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • feeling sleepy
  • spinning sensation
  • decreased feeling of sensitivity (numbness)
  • feeling anxious
  • lack of energy
  • increased blood pressure
  • vomiting
  • feeling drunk
  • headache
  • feeling very happy or excited

If these common side effects occur, they usually happen right after taking SPRAVATO® and go away the same day.

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 Johnson & Johnson at 1-800-526-7736, or to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see the full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide for SPRAVATO®, and discuss any questions you have with your healthcare provider.

SPRAVATO® is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson and its affiliated companies. LumiClinics is a REMS-certified treatment center. Use of these materials is not an endorsement by Johnson & Johnson.

Talk to someone this week.

Send us your insurance details and we will tell you what your plan covers before you commit to an appointment.