AACA now offers a nasal spray for depression. There are a lot of questions about what exactly this nasal spray is and how it works. Which is great, we love when people are leaning into their curiosity!
What is Ketamine Nasal Spray?
Ketamine Nasal Spray (Spravato) is used for people with treatment-resistant depression. It is approved by the FDA and is a prescription spray that is absorbed through the nasal lining and directly into a person’s bloodstream.
You may hear the nasal spray be referred to as Esketmaine or Spravato. Spravato is the prescription name for the nasal spray treatment offered at AACA. Some people use the words Esketamine and Ketamine interchangeably. Esketamine refers specifically to a unique type of Ketamine in nasal spray form.
How do I know if I have treatment-resistant depression?
Treatment-resistant depression, sometimes referred to as TRD, refers to patients whose depression has not improved despite taking at least two antidepressants. Ketamine Nasal Spray is not a first line treatment for depression. It is prescribed to people who have not experienced relief from symptoms with antidepressants.
Talk with your psychiatric prescriber, primary care physician, or therapist to explore whether you fit the criteria for treatment-resistant depression.
What does Ketamine Nasal Spray (Spravato) treatment at AACA look like?
You will contact our office via phone at 734- 956-0051 or by filling out an intake request form. If you are already seeing a prescriber or therapist at AACA, speak with your provider about an internal referral.
Our patient coordinators will send you forms and paperwork to complete. At that time you will be contacted by our CNA who will review our process for starting treatment including eligibility, benefit coverage to determine if Ketamine Nasal Spray is the right choice for you.
At AACA your first appointment will be a Ketamine Therapy Assessment with a clinician and then you will have a follow-up evaluation by our prescriber. During this evaluation AACA healthcare providers will go over your family and medical history with you to determine whether the nasal spray is right for you.
If it is decided that ketamine nasal spray could be a good fit for you—you will start the initial series of treatments. You will have appointments twice a week at our office over an 8-week time period. During those appointments you will receive your dosage of the nasal spray and be monitored for 2-hours prior to leaving the office.
After the first 8-weeks, you will be transitioned to once a week appointments for a 4-week time period. Once you have completed those 12-weeks, then your treatment team will work with you to determine maintenance treatments based on your needs.
Take a look at our Spravato Nasal Spray Informational Page or contact our office to learn more.
