If you have depression, you may have heard of Spravato® – a new treatment for depression. Spravato is a type of ketamine that is administered via nasal spray. Some patients prefer this treatment method over ketamine infusions for depression treatment.
At NeuPath Mind Wellness in Delray Beach, we offer Spravato as a treatment option for depression along with ketamine infusion therapy. In this article, we’ll review some of the differences between Spravato and ketamine infusions, explain how Spravato works, and how quickly you might start seeing results after Spravato therapy.
As with any mental health treatment, you should consult with your psychiatrist to determine which treatment is appropriate for you. The information presented here is to help you become better informed on Spravato and its benefits as a depression therapy.
What Is Spravato and How Does It Work?
Spravato is an FDA-approved prescription medication for adults with treatment-resistant depression. It’s derived from ketamine, and shares many of the same properties of ketamine when treating mood disorders such as depression.
Unlike traditional antidepressants, which typically target serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine, Spravato works on the brain’s glutamate system. By stimulating glutamate receptors, Spravato encourages the growth of new neural connections and helps “reset” brain activity patterns associated with depression.
Because of this unique mechanism of action, many patients experience a much faster response compared to conventional antidepressants. This rapid relief from depression is one of the chief reasons patients choose Spravato over other treatments.
How Fast Does Spravato Work?
Clinical studies show that patients often notice improvement in their depressive symptoms as early as 24 to 48 hours after their first Spravato treatment. However, the time to response varies from person to person.
Here’s a general guideline of what patients report after Spravato treatment:
· Some patients report feeling improvement within a day or two of first treatment
· Most patients report feeling significant mood improvements within the first two weeks
· In clinical trials, by the end of the second week of treatment, the majority of patients experienced a measurable reduction in depression symptoms, as measured by a standard depression screening tool
· Even after the treatment period has ended, many patients continue to experience improvement in symptom reduction
What Determines How Spravato Works?
Like any medication, Spravato can have varying results depending on several factors. These factors have an impact on how quickly you will notice improvement and the extent of the improvement. These factors include:
· Severity and duration of depression: If you have a more severe case of depression or have experienced long-term depression, it might take longer before you notice improvement using Spravato
· Overall health: Physical health conditions, substance use, or other, co-occurring psychiatric disorders can impact response rates
· Medication history: If you have tried many different antidepressants without success, that can sometimes indicate that it may take a little longer for you to notice an improvement
Each person’s depression treatment response time is unique. How quickly you notice a response with Spravato is not the main determining factor on whether the treatment will be successful.
Sometimes Patience is the Key
It’s always nice to see patients respond immediately to treatment – whether through ketamine infusion therapy or Spravato – but it’s important to manage your expectations. Some patients are rapid responders, while others experience a more gradual buildup over time. There is no right or wrong response time.
It’s normal to feel anxious for immediate results — especially if you’ve been battling depression for a long time — but allowing time for the brain to heal and build new connections is part of the process. Regardless of how long it takes, every step of improvement is cause for celebration.
Should You Try Spravato?
At NeuPath Mind Wellness in Delray Beach, we offer Spravato as a featured depression treatment. There’s a lot to like about Spravato: it’s fast acting, it is often covered by health insurance, and it works remarkably well at treating depression.
If you’re looking for something new to help alleviate depression, Spravato may be a good choice. We can help you decide during a consultation at NeuPath Mind Wellness. To get started, please call us at 561-847-3662 or request an appointment online.
