Ketamine & Spravato®: What Clinicians and Clients Need to Know About This Breakthrough in Depression Treatment

 

What if relief from depression didn’t take weeks or months, but hours?

 

For many struggling with treatment-resistant depression, traditional antidepressants aren’t enough. That’s where Ketamine and Spravato® (esketamine) are changing the game. Backed by neuroscience, these therapies offer rapid symptom relief, especially for those who feel like they’ve run out of options.

 

What Is Spravato® and How Does It Work?

Spravato® is a nasal spray form of esketamine, a close relative of ketamine. Unlike SSRIs or SNRIs, Spravato® targets the glutamate system, which plays a key role in neuroplasticity and emotional regulation.

• FDA-approved in 2019 for adults with treatment-resistant depression

• Administered under supervision in certified clinics

• Taken alongside an oral antidepressant

 

Bonus Stat: In clinical trials, 69% of patients saw significant symptom improvement after four weeks of Spravato® treatment (source: Janssen Pharmaceuticals).

 

Ketamine Infusions – An Off-Label but Powerful AlternativeIV ketamine has been used in mental health settings for over a decade. Though not FDA-approved for depression, it’s commonly administered off-label and often yields fast, effective relief.

 

Key differences from Spravato®:

• Delivered via intravenous infusion

• Not typically covered by insurance

• Customizable dosing and timing

• Often used for PTSD, bipolar depression, and chronic suicidality

 

Fun Fact: Studies show ketamine can increase synaptic connections in the brain, reversing stress-related damage.

 

Who Is a Candidate for These Treatments?

• Ideal candidates often include patients who:

• Have tried 2+ antidepressants with minimal relief

• Are currently under psychiatric or therapeutic care

• Experience suicidal thoughts or emotional blunting

• Struggle with PTSD, anxiety, or major depressive disorder

 

For clinicians: Spravato® offers a valuable referral option for clients who are “stuck” despite ongoing therapy and medication trials.

 

What to Expect During Treatment

Both ketamine and Spravato® are in-office treatments, designed with patient safety and comfort in mind.

• Spravato® session snapshot:

• Nasal spray administration

• 2-hour observation period

• Twice weekly for the first month, then gradually tapered

 

Common side effects:

• Dissociation

• Dizziness

• Nausea

• Mild sedation (why driving post-session isn’t allowed)

 

Why More Providers Are Referring for Ketamine & Spravato®

With rising cases of depression and increasing frustration around slow-acting meds, more clinicians are referring patients to ketamine-certified psychiatric practices.

Benefits for referring providers:

• Offers a bridge while traditional meds take effect

• Supports suicidal clients with fast intervention

• Adds to a collaborative treatment plan — not a replacement for therapy

 

Hope Looks Different Now

We believe that no one should feel hopeless because a pill didn’t work. Ketamine and Spravato® are giving new hope to those who once felt out of options, and we’re here to help every step of the way.

 

If you’re a provider interested in referring a patient, or someone seeking relief from long-standing depression, we’d love to connect.