Spravato for Depression

Ketamine has been used as an anesthetic since the 1960s. More recently, medical researchers and physicians have found additional uses for smaller doses of the drug, such as treating chronic pain and treatment-resistant depression.
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Ketamine consists of mirror-image molecules: S-ketamine and R-ketamine. SPRAVATO® only includes the S-ketamine molecules. Because ketamine carries some risk of abuse, the intranasal spray is only available as an in-office treatment.

SPRAVATO® isn’t a first-line treatment for pain management, however many chronic pain patients suffer from co-morbidities (two or more diseases at once), such as anxiety and depression. Decreasing the effects of depression often make dealing with chronic pain much more tolerable.

Thunder Pain Management provides SPRAVATO® in the comfort of our office. After using the nasal spray, you will rest in a reclining chair while the medication takes effect. Unlike many clinics, we have all private rooms. Some patients experience symptoms like floating, out of body sensations, tingling, and mild hallucinations.

​​​​​​​Patients generally remain in our office for a two hour observation period. Our medical team does not release you to go home until it’s safe, and you have a friend or family member to drive you home. While you will be tired after your treatment, you should be back to your normal energy levels after a good night’s sleep.

The treatment plan for SPRAVATO® is generally twice a week for the first 4 weeks, followed by once a week for the next 4 weeks. Additional treatments may be added thereafter, depending on your symptoms.

In most cases, SPRAVATO® is covered by insurance for TRD and MDD.

SPRAVATO® helped Nicole’s treatment-resistant depression. Now, she’s resuming her education and sharing her story.