If you have been dealing with depression that just won’t budge, no matter how many antidepressants you’ve tried, you’re not alone. It’s frustrating, discouraging, and exhausting. You might have heard about Spravato as a treatment option and wondered if it actually works. Does it really help people feel better when nothing else has? What’s the success rate of Spravato, and is it worth trying?
At Memorial Park Psychiatry, we specialize in offering innovative treatments like Spravato for patients who haven’t found relief through traditional methods. Our experienced team of psychiatrists is here to help you explore whether this breakthrough therapy could be the right fit for your healing journey.
Spravato is the brand name for esketamine, a nasal spray treatment approved by the FDA in 2019 for adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and, more recently, for major depressive disorder with suicidal thoughts or behaviors. It’s designed for people who haven’t gotten relief from at least two other antidepressants taken at the right doses and for long enough.
What makes Spravato different is how it works. Most traditional antidepressants focus on boosting serotonin or norepinephrine in the brain. Spravato targets the glutamate system, which plays a key role in mood, learning, and memory. It’s believed to work more quickly than traditional antidepressants, sometimes within hours or days.
Because it has dissociative and sedative effects, Spravato must be given in a certified clinic. You’ll self-administer the nasal spray under supervision and then relax for two hours while the clinical team monitors you.
In short, yes, for many people, Spravato does help when nothing else will. But it is not a miracle cure, and results can vary from person to person.
Key clinical studies have shown that between 50% to 70% of individuals with treatment-resistant depression experience noticeable relief from depression symptoms after taking Spravato. About 30 to 50% of patients experience a full remission (meaning their depression symptoms largely went away) after four weeks of treatment. That’s a significant number, especially for people who have been battling depression for years with little relief.
Like all treatments, Spravato is not the right fit for everyone. In clinical studies, between 3 to 5% of patients enrolled in the study discontinued treatment due to adverse side effects. Some people experience dizziness, nausea, or dissociation. Others probably do not appreciate having to come into the certified clinic twice a week for treatment. But for those who stick it out and do respond, the impact can be life-changing. It can lift the fog of depression enough for other parts of your treatment, like therapy, medication adjustments, or lifestyle changes, to start working better, too.
The most important thing is to talk with a provider who can help you decide whether it’s a good fit based on your personal history, symptoms, and goals.
What is the success rate of Spravato treatment? If you have been suffering from treatment-resistant depression, know that you still have options that are proven to be effective. If you are curious about whether Spravato could help you, we’re here to walk you through it. Every journey is different, and the right support makes all the difference.
Call our office today to schedule a consultation, ask questions, and explore your options.