Spravato (Esketamine) for Depression

Overview
Spravato is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults whose depression has not been effectively treated by other antidepressant medicines. Spravato is taken in conjunction with an oral antidepressant. Spravato is also referred to by its drug name Esketamine.

Esketamine is chemically similar to Ketamine, which is used as an anesthetic. Esketamine belongs to a class of drugs known as non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. It is not yet understood how Esketamine works in cases of depression, but Esketamine works differently from other antidepressants.

How do I take it?
Spravato is self-administered in the form of a nasal spray under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

Spravato is taken twice a week for the first four weeks, and once or twice a week thereafter.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Ketamine lists common side effects including dissociation, dizziness, nausea, sedation, vertigo, hypoesthesia, anxiety, lethargy, increased blood pressure, vomiting, and feeling drunk.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Spravato include fetal harm, increased blood pressure, and impairment of attention, thinking, judgement, reaction speed, and driving. Spravato has potential to be misused or abused. In children, Spravato may cause an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior.

For more details about this treatment, visit:
Spravato – Janssen Pharmaceuticals
https://www.spravato.com/