Question 1

What is the difference between ketamine, esketamine, and Spravato®?

Accepted Answer

Spravato® is nasal esketamine, a more specific form of ketamine designed to treat depression. Spravato® takes the effective part of ketamine and isolates that and then gets rid of the sedating part of ketamine that is not believed to be as important for depression.

Question 2

Who is Spravato® nasal spray for?

Accepted Answer

Spravato® nasal spray is FDA-approved for people with depression who have not experienced adequate improvement with antidepressant medications.

Question 3

How long is a round of treatment?

Accepted Answer

A typical round of esketamine nasal spray treatment is broken up into three phases: 
1. Phase 1: 2 treatments a week for 4 weeks
2. Phase 2: 1 treatment a week for 4 weeks
3. Phase 3: 1 treatment every 1-2 weeks
Before coming to each appointment, be sure you avoid eating anything for two hours. You should also avoid large amounts of fluid for 30 minutes before an appointment. Each session takes place at Depression Healing Clinic. Once you arrive, you'll sit in a chair and self-administer the nasal spray. Your blood pressure is checked at the start of the session, 40 minutes into treatment, and prior to leaving the clinic. You must stay at the clinic for no less than 2 hours. Make sure you have someone to drive you home.

Question 4

What is the prescribed dose of Spravato® nasal spray?

Accepted Answer

You will either do 2 or 3 sprays in your nostril depending on your prescription.

Question 5

Can you take Spravato® while staying on antidepressant medications?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you have to be on an antidepressant medication to receive nasal esketamine spray.

Question 6

Do I need to go to a hospital to receive Spravato®?

Accepted Answer

No. Nasal esketamine must be given at a REMS (risk evaluation and mitigation system) certified clinic.

Question 7

Does Spravato® work for anxiety?

Accepted Answer

No. Spravato® is FDA-approved for people with treatment resistant depression who have not experienced adequate improvement with antidepressant medications.

Question 8

Who shouldn't take Spravato®?

Accepted Answer

You should not take Spravato® if you have:
1. Uncontrolled hypertension
2. History of strokes or brain bleeds
3. Abnormal blood vessels at risk of bleeding, such as aneurysms or ateriorvenous malformations (AVMs)
4. Sensitivity to esketimine

Question 9

Is Spravato® covered by insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Spravato is covered  by many major insurance companies.

Question 10

Do you treat other mental health challenges?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dr. Sam Bhandari has no waiting list and is accepting new clients for any mental health challenges.

Medical Director | Dr. Sam Bhandari

Depression Healing Clinic

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