Spravato for Depression: The Best Treatment Option

Is Spravato the Best Treatment for Depression When Nothing Else Works?

For many living with major depressive disorder (MDD) or treatment-resistant depression (TRD), traditional treatments like SSRIs or talk therapy fall short. If you've tried multiple antidepressants without meaningful relief, Spravato may offer a new, fast-acting solution. Axis Integrated Mental Health offers this innovative treatment at our certified clinics in Aurora, Louisville, and Westminster, Colorado.

What Is Spravato and How Does It Work?

Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray that works differently from traditional antidepressants. Instead of targeting serotonin or dopamine, Spravato acts on NMDA receptors in the brain, triggering a release of glutamate, the brain's most abundant neurotransmitter. This rapid activation helps increase neuroplasticity, potentially rewiring neural pathways damaged by depression.

Who Is Spravato For? Understanding Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)

Treatment-resistant depression is diagnosed when someone fails to respond to at least two different antidepressants taken at appropriate doses and durations. If you meet these criteria, Spravato could be a promising option. It’s also approved for people with MDD experiencing suicidal thoughts or behavior, in conjunction with an oral antidepressant.

What to Expect During a Spravato Treatment Session

Spravato is self-administered via nasal spray under supervision in a certified treatment center. Each session includes:

• Administering the dose (56 mg or 84 mg)
• Monitoring for at least two hours for any side effects
• Transportation is arranged in advance, as you cannot drive yourself post-treatment

How Fast Does Spravato Work Compared to Traditional Antidepressants?

While conventional antidepressants may take weeks to start working, Spravato has demonstrated relief within hours, even after the first dose, for many patients. That makes it especially helpful during acute depressive episodes or when suicidal thoughts are present.

How Is Spravato Different from Oral Antidepressants?

Unlike SSRIs that increase serotonin slowly over weeks, Spravato targets a completely different pathway—activating NMDA receptors and increasing glutamate levels. This action helps rapidly rebuild and rewire areas of the brain affected by long-term depression, promoting healing at a neurological level.

Spravato Dosing Schedule: What Your Treatment Plan Might Look Like

Your provider will create a tailored plan, but a typical schedule looks like this:

• Weeks 1–4: Twice weekly
• Weeks 5–8: Once weekly
• Week 9 and beyond: Once every 1–2 weeks for maintenance

Spravato must be combined with an oral antidepressant and administered in a REMS-certified clinic.

Spravato Side Effects: What to Know Before You Start

Common side effects include:

• Dissociation (feeling detached)
• Nausea
• Dizziness or a spinning sensation
• Increased blood pressure

Most effects peak within 40 minutes and subside within two hours. A healthcare provider will monitor you during this time to ensure your safety.

Spravato Cost and Insurance: Is It Affordable?

Spravato is often covered by major insurance providers. There are two billing models:

• Buy & Bill: The Clinic handles medication costs and billing
• Specialty Pharmacy: Medication billed separately from clinical monitoring

Many patients pay as little as a $20 copay, especially with Medicare or supplemental insurance. We’re happy to verify your benefits.

The Science Behind Spravato’s Rapid Antidepressant Effects

Unlike older antidepressants that modulate biogenic amines, Spravato’s glutamate-based action enables a broader and faster impact across multiple brain regions. Studies have shown:

• Symptom relief within hours
• Reversal of stress-related brain damage
• Increased connectivity in key areas like the hippocampus

This makes Spravato a groundbreaking advancement for people who haven’t responded to traditional treatments.

Is Spravato Right for You? Our Denver and Westminster Clinics Can Help

If you’ve been living with TRD or MDD and nothing else has worked, Spravato might offer the relief you’ve been waiting for. Axis Integrated Mental Health provides expert evaluation, insurance navigation, and compassionate care to help you decide if this treatment is right for you.

Call us today at (720) 400-7025 or schedule your consultation online.