SPRAVATO® Treatment at Vitalitas Denver
What Is SPRAVATO®?
SPRAVATO® is an FDA-approved nasal spray designed to help adults with:
Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD): For individuals who haven’t found relief after trying at least two different antidepressants. SPRAVATO® may be used alone or with an oral antidepressant.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with Acute Suicidal Ideation or Behavior: An option for treating depressive symptoms alongside an oral antidepressant.
Unlike traditional antidepressants, which can take weeks to work, SPRAVATO® has shown improvements in depressive symptoms as early as 24 hours in clinical studies. Individual responses vary.
FDA-Approved
Clinically Monitored
Fast-Acting
How Does SPRAVATO® Work?
SPRAVATO® takes a novel approach to managing depression. Administered under the supervision of a healthcare provider, this nasal spray acts on NMDA receptors in the brain. Patients self-administer SPRAVATO® in a certified treatment setting, where they are closely monitored for at least two hours after each dose.
SPRAVATO® Insurance Coverage
Insurance coverage for SPRAVATO® depends on your plan and eligibility. Ask your insurer about coverage for the medication and treatment visits.
What Our Patients Are Saying
Hear from patients about their experiences with Vitalitas’s existing IV ketamine care. These stories do not describe SPRAVATO® treatment, and individual results vary.
4-Step SPRAVATO® Treatment Journey
Consultation & Evaluation
Begin with a consultation and an evaluation of your symptoms, medical history, medications, and previous treatments. This helps determine whether SPRAVATO® may be appropriate for you.
Tailored Treatment Plan
For treatment-resistant depression, the plan begins with an induction phase involving twice-weekly sessions. If treatment continues, sessions become less frequent according to your response and clinical needs.
Session Scheduling & Administration
Once treatment is recommended, sessions take place in a SPRAVATO® REMS-certified healthcare setting. You self-administer the nasal spray under clinical supervision and are monitored for at least two hours afterward.
Ongoing Support
The team reviews your response, monitors for side effects, and adjusts the plan when appropriate. Vitalitas’s approach includes communication with the provider managing your ongoing mental health care.
SPRAVATO® Treatment Timeline
The schedule below is the FDA-labeled schedule for treatment-resistant depression:
Induction
Weeks 1–4
2 treatments a week
Maintenance
Weeks 5–8
1 treatment a week
Ongoing Care
Week 9 onward
1 treatment every 1–2 weeks, individualized to the least frequent schedule that maintains response
The labeled schedule for depressive symptoms in adults with MDD and acute suicidal ideation or behavior differs. Your provider will explain the schedule that applies to your care.
SPRAVATO®: A Different Option from Traditional Antidepressants
Response to Treatment:
SPRAVATO® has been studied in adults with treatment-resistant depression, including people who had not responded adequately to prior antidepressants. Response varies, and a consultation can help put the clinical evidence in the context of your treatment history.
Time to Noticeable Effect:
Clinical studies found differences in depressive symptom scores as early as approximately 24 hours after a dose. That finding does not mean every patient will notice improvement within a day.
Continuing Treatment:
For treatment-resistant depression, the need for continued treatment is assessed after the initial four weeks. Later sessions are scheduled according to response and tolerability.
Our Philosophy
SAFETY FIRST.
At Vitalitas, careful evaluation and clinical monitoring are part of treatment. SPRAVATO® has additional requirements for supervised administration and observation after each dose.
TALKING TO YOUR TEAM.
If you already have a mental health care team, we want to keep them in the loop so your treatment fits into your broader care.
SETTING MATTERS.
The place where you receive treatment matters. Vitalitas provides care in a calm clinical setting where the team can monitor you and answer questions throughout your visit.
CLEAR EXPECTATIONS.
We want you to understand the treatment schedule, monitoring requirements, potential side effects, and financial considerations before you begin.
SPRAVATO® FAQs
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Tell your provider about your medical and mental health history, including substance use, blood pressure or cardiovascular concerns, and whether you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding. List all medications and supplements you take.
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SPRAVATO® is an FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray for specific depressive indications. The IV ketamine Vitalitas offers is a distinct medication used off-label for psychiatric and chronic pain conditions. The treatments also differ in how they are administered.
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No. Although you administer the nasal spray yourself, you must do so under a healthcare provider’s supervision in a setting certified under the SPRAVATO® REMS program. It cannot be taken home.
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SPRAVATO® may harm an unborn baby, and breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment. Tell your provider if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding so you can discuss your options.
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SPRAVATO® should not be used by people with certain aneurysmal vascular conditions or arteriovenous malformation, a history of bleeding in the brain, or an allergy to esketamine, ketamine, or another ingredient in the medication. Your provider will review whether it is appropriate for you.
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You and your provider will review changes in depressive symptoms, daily functioning, and side effects. For treatment-resistant depression, the need for continued treatment is evaluated after the initial four-week phase.
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Contact your treatment team. The appropriate schedule after a missed session depends on where you are in treatment and whether your symptoms have changed.
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Yes. Tell your other healthcare providers that you are receiving SPRAVATO® so they can consider it alongside your other treatments and prescriptions.
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Response varies. If treatment is not helping enough, your provider will review whether continuing makes sense and discuss other options with you.
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Possibly. SPRAVATO® can temporarily raise blood pressure, so your provider will assess your history and check your blood pressure before and after each session.
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Yes. Certain medications, including sedatives and stimulants, may require additional monitoring or consideration. Give your provider a complete medication list and do not change prescribed medications on your own.
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The prescribing information advises avoiding food for at least two hours and liquids for at least 30 minutes before treatment to reduce the chance of nausea or vomiting.
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Avoid driving, operating machinery, or activities requiring full alertness until the next day after a restful sleep. Arrange a ride home after each session.
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No. You must arrange transportation from the treatment setting and wait until the next day after a restful sleep before driving.
SPRAVATO® Resources
Use these guides to learn more about SPRAVATO®, its approved uses, and its safety information:
SPRAVATO® can cause serious side effects, including sedation, dissociation, respiratory depression, and increased blood pressure. It also carries risks of abuse and misuse. Its effectiveness in preventing suicide or reducing suicidal thoughts or behavior has not been demonstrated. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.