SPRAVATO-ESKETAMINE NASAL SPRAY TREATMENT

Depression doesn’t always improve with the first medication, the second, or even the third, and that can be deeply discouraging. Katrina Zlataric, PMHNP-BC, at KZ Psychiatric Services in Barnhart, Missouri, offers Spravato® esketamine nasal spray treatment for eligible adults with treatment-resistant depression. She provides careful psychiatric evaluation, medication review, and monitored treatment visits to support safety, comfort, and meaningful symptom relief. Call KZ Psychiatric Services to learn more about Spravato or request an appointment online today. 

What is Spravato-esketamine nasal spray treatment?

Spravato-esketamine nasal spray treatment uses esketamine (a prescription medication related to the anesthetic ketamine) to help adults with treatment-resistant depression.

Unlike many antidepressants, which mainly affect neurotransmitter brain chemicals like serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine, esketamine works on the glutamate system.

Glutamate plays an important role in mood regulation, learning, memory, and how brain cells communicate. By acting on this system, Spravato may help patients experience improvement when standard antidepressants haven’t worked well enough.

Who qualifies for Spravato-esketamine nasal spray treatment?

Spravato-esketamine nasal spray treatment may help adults with treatment-resistant depression. This usually means depression that hasn’t improved enough after trying at least two different antidepressants at appropriate doses and durations.

Spravato may not suit everyone. Patients with certain blood vessel conditions, uncontrolled high blood pressure, a history of bleeding in the brain, or specific medication risks may need a different treatment approach.

What does Spravato-esketamine nasal spray treatment involve?

Spravato isn’t a take-home medication. You receive it in a certified medical setting under supervision because it can cause:

• Sleepiness
• Dizziness
• Dissociation
• Increased blood pressure
• Nausea
• Changes in perception after treatment

During treatment, you self-administer Spravato nasal spray under medical supervision. Katrina and the care team monitor you during the visit, including blood pressure and side effects.

You remain in the office for observation after each dose, usually for at least two hours. Because Spravato can affect alertness, coordination, and judgment, patients need someone to drive them home after treatment. They shouldn’t drive, operate machinery, or make major decisions until the next day after a full night’s sleep.

Spravato treatment often starts with a more frequent schedule, then moves to less frequent maintenance visits when appropriate. Katrina tracks mood symptoms, side effects, sleep, energy, functioning, and safety throughout treatment.

What medications are used with Spravato-esketamine nasal spray?

Spravato is usually used along with an oral antidepressant. Katrina may prescribe or continue medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including sertraline, fluoxetine, escitalopram, or citalopram.

Some patients take serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), like venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine, or duloxetine. Others may take atypical antidepressants like bupropion or mirtazapine.

Medication reduces symptoms enough for patients to engage more fully in counseling, routines, social support, and self-care. That combination often helps patients build steadier progress over time.

Call KZ Psychiatric Services or book an appointment online today to learn whether Spravato fits your treatment needs.