Most people with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are able to find relief from their depression symptoms through counseling (psychotherapy) and/or medication. However, if you've been treated for depression but your symptoms haven't improved, you may have treatment resistant depression (TRD). The FDA defines treatment resistant depression as a "failure of at least two antidepressant trials, given at adequate doses, for 6–8 weeks while ensuring adequate treatment adherence, during a MDD episode".

High Country Behavioral Health now offers Spravato (esketamine) as a treatment option to help those struggling with treatment resistant depression.

Spravato is available at our Idaho Falls and Pocatello, Idaho locations, as well as our Evanston and Douglas, Wyoming locations.

 

What is SPRAVATO®?   

SPRAVATO® is an FDA approved prescription nasal spray, used along with an oral antidepressant, to treat adults with treatment resistant depression. 

SPRAVATO® works differently than other medications for treatment resistant depression. Today’s most commonly used oral antidepressants are thought to treat depression by increasing levels of neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine) in areas of the brain that affect mood. SPRAVATO® works differently, in that, it targets the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The exact way that SPRAVATO® works is unknown. However, it has shown positive results in clinical trials.

In a short-term clinical study of adults with treatment resistant depression, those who took SPRAVATO® and an oral antidepressant experienced a greater reduction of depression symptoms at four weeks, compared to those who received a placebo and an oral antidepressant. In a long-term study after 16 weeks of therapy, patients who stayed on SPRAVATO® were less likely to experience a return of depressive symptoms than those who stopped therapy.

SPRAVATO® is not right for everyone. Your medical provider will work with our team to determine if you are a potential candidate for SPRAVATO® .

 

Find out more in this SPRAVATO® video.

Spravato Side Effects

Serious side effects of SPRAVATO® include feeling sleepy (sedation); feeling disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, feelings and things around you (dissociation); abuse and misuse; increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior; increased blood pressure; problems with thinking clearly; and bladder problems. For additional information on these serious side effects, please see Important Safety Information.

These are not all the possible side effects of SPRAVATO®. Please see the SPRAVATO® Medication Guide for the complete safety information. If these common side effects occur, they usually happen right after taking SPRAVATO® and go away the same day.

What to Expect

SPRAVATO® (esketamine) CIII nasal spray can only be administered under the supervision of a healthcare provider at a certified treatment center.

  • Plan for rides to and from the treatment center. You won’t be able to drive, operate machinery, or do anything where you need to be completely alert until the day after a treatment session, following a restful sleep.
  • Bring a form of entertainment, like a book or playlist, for the session. A healthcare provider at the treatment center will monitor you for at least two hours after treatment.
  • Avoid eating two hours before, and drinking liquids 30 minutes before, the treatment session. Some patients taking SPRAVATO® may experience nausea or vomiting.
Back to top