Have you heard of SPRAVATO® (esketamine) CIII Nasal Spray?
SPRAVATO™ nasal spray is a different kind of medication taken with an oral antidepressant for adults with treatment-resistant depression – a first in decades approved by the FDA. Treatment-resistant depression is a complex clinical problem in patients with the major depressive disorder who haven’t adequately responded to at least two antidepressant medications.
SPRAVATO™ nasal spray is made up of the chemical esketamine, which can provide relief from major depression within hours. Esketamine is made from ketamine, an anesthetic drug that’s been used to treat depression for decades. Esketamine has stronger potency than ketamine, which allows patients to experience the benefits of SPRAVATO™ therapy with fewer side effects and lower doses.
Conventional antidepressant medications increase our level of naturally occurring chemicals in the brain such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. These chemical messengers, also known as neurotransmitters, initiate/regulate the communication between various brain cells, as well as regulate and affect our moods. However, over 30% of people suffering from depression don’t respond to these conventional antidepressant medications. SPRAVATO™ works in a similar way, but unlike other antidepressants, SPRAVATO™ increases glutamate, the most abundant neurotransmitter in the brain.
According to the SPRAVATO™ Clinical Trial Results, those who took SPRAVATO™ and an oral AD experienced a greater reduction of depression symptoms at 4 weeks compared to those who received a placebo and an oral AD. The results also concluded in a long-term study, in conjunction with an oral AD, patients in stable remission taking SPRAVATO™ who continued treatment with the medicine were 51% less likely to relapse versus those who switched to placebo.
If you or a loved one are interested in seeing if you are qualified for SPRAVATO™ treatments, give our office a call today at 469-200-4093 and speak with a specialist. For more information visit our website at www.compassionatepsychiatry.org
