Depression is challenging enough to endure, but when it fails to respond to common treatments, it can become especially difficult. For people whose symptoms haven’t been alleviated with traditional depression treatments, there’s Spravato®. Find out more about the advantages of this medication below.

What Are the Advantages of Spravato? 

1. Ability to Help Treatment-Resistant Depression

Spravato is the first prescription nasal spray medication for adults experiencing treatment-resistant depression. People with treatment-resistant depression have already tried at least two other depression treatments, but their condition has not responded to the medication. Spravato is different because it’s derived from ketamine, an anesthetic which has been used off-label for some time to treat chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression.  

2. Rapid Effects

Other common depression treatments target several neurotransmitters, which may require weeks or months to take effect. Spravato, on the other hand, is a fast-acting medication that targets glutamate, a key neurotransmitter, quickly through absorption into the nasal passages. By entering your bloodstream quicker, the medication bypasses the other neurotransmitters and can begin working in as little as a couple days or even hours. For people with extreme symptoms of depression, waiting for medications to kick in can be unbearable. In some instances, having access to fast-acting treatment could be life-saving.

3. Reduction of Depressive Symptoms

Spravato is still often given in conjunction with an oral antidepressant, but will get to work long before the other medication does. With that said, in studies, people who took Spravato with an oral antidepressant experienced a greater reduction in symptoms compared to those who only received a placebo with oral medications. These results were measured at four weeks, indicating that Spravato can continue to keep depression symptoms controlled.

If you’re experiencing depression and have yet to find a treatment that works, turn to Ohm Mental Health in Lewiston, ID. These caring professionals offer a range of cutting-edge depression treatment options, taking into consideration each patient’s unique needs. Request a free consultation online or by calling (208) 717-4823.