Spravato as an Alternative Psychiatric Therapy for Depression

Traditional psychiatric therapy for depression is for everyone. This is where alternative treatments come in. Spravato® (esketamine) is a brand of esketamine. It is an FDA-approved alternative medication for TRD(treatment-resistant depression) patients. If you want to know more about this psychiatric therapy for depression, here are the details.

The essentials

A psychiatrist can prescribe Spravato to adult TRD patients. TRD strikes in a patient whose symptoms do not improve with antidepressants. Taking this nasal spray can help in a quick and effective way. This innovative product is a nasal spray. This psychiatric therapy for depressive disorder takes place in a medical facility. A doctor will oversee the treatment.

The doctor can give this nasal spray with oral antidepressants. The FDA approved this nasal spray in March 2019. This psychiatric therapy for depression is like ketamine. Its generic name is esketamine. Ketamine may have the same effects, but these two are different medications.

Potential side effects from taking Spravato include sedation and dissociation. These side effects can worsen. Watching the patients under this nasal spray for at least two hours is important. The patient will stay at the medical facility until the doctor allows the patient to leave.

This nasal spray can reduce depressive symptoms within hours after taking it. This is the opposite of traditional antidepressants. The effects of traditional psychiatric therapy for depression often take weeks or even months to show. Misuse is possible in using this nasal spray.

The precautions

The doctor must check the patient’s progress during every visit. This will keep track of the medication’s effectiveness on the patient’s condition. The doctor may order blood tests to check for side effects. Checking for the side effects at least two hours after the treatment is important.

Spravato can result in irritability, agitation, or other abnormal mannerisms. Some patients may experience sudden strong feelings, such as anger and nervousness. The doctor should know about these right away. Driving is not advisable for any patient after the treatment. Confusion, drowsiness, and problems with clear thinking can cause difficulties on the road. Someone should drive the patient home.

The presence of cloudy or bloody urine, painful urination, or the frequent urge to urinate are also side effects. Pregnant women should not take Spravato because this can harm the unborn child. A female patient must take birth control pills before taking this treatment. Telling the doctor about a suspected pregnancy is important.

As a controlled substance

Spravato is a controlled substance. The FDA classified it as a drug for medical use. It is an effective psychiatric therapy for depression. Even so, the patient taking it may become dependent. That is why a doctor prescribes it. A pharmacy or the doctor will then dispense the drug.

Advantages

It takes one dose to improve depressive symptoms. Taking Spravato results in a quicker improvement in TRD patients. This is a refreshing improvement for those taking traditional psychiatric therapy for depression. These TRD patients often wait several weeks for evident improvements.

The treatments

The doctor will give Spravato two times a week for about four weeks. This will be the start of the treatment. Then, a four-week treatment of once-a-week sessions will take place. The doctor will then prescribe a maintenance nasal spray dose. This is often once every week or once every couple of weeks.

This psychiatric therapy for depression can work with at least one antidepressant. Each treatment will be under the supervision of the attending physician. Spravato gives optimal results in a comprehensive treatment program. This includes psychotherapy and an oral antidepressant. This treatment for depressive disorder was not formulated to be a stand-alone solution.

The process

The patient will spray Spravato under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider. This will happen in a medical facility. The doctor or licensed healthcare provider will show the patient how to use the spray device. The patient will have the proper dosage of the medication. Following instructions is important.

A healthcare provider will keep an eye on the patient during and after the treatment. Then, the healthcare provider will decide if the patient is ready to go home. A family member, caregiver, or friend must drive the patient home after the session. The doctor might change the patient’s treatment schedule and dose if the patient misses a Spravato treatment.

Spravato is a psychiatric therapy for depression that gives home to TRD patients

Many patients with major depressive disorder suffer from TRD. Traditional depression treatments do not improve their condition anymore. That is why doctors recommend Spravato nasal spray. Your psychiatrist will determine if you qualify for this psychiatric therapy for depression.

Get more information about Future Psych Solutions in Columbia at https://futurepsychsolutions.com.

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