So your doctor brought up Spravato.
Maybe you’ve already done some reading, or maybe you’re just trying to figure out what committing to this treatment actually looks like in real life.
Either way, the scheduling question usually comes up pretty early – and it’s a fair one.
Here’s what the process actually looks like.
It Happens in Three Stages
Spravato isn’t a once-a-month thing, at least not at first. The treatment builds up gradually, and the frequency changes over time depending on how you’re responding.
The First Four Weeks – Twice a Week
This is the induction phase. You come in twice a week for about a month. It sounds like a lot, but there’s a reason for it.
If you’ve ever wondered how does Spravato work for depression – it does not work like a regular antidepressant.
Rather than gradually regulating serotonin, it interacts with the glutamate system and accelerates the brain to create new connections.
You must keep that process moving, and to do so, you have to dose it regularly at the beginning.
Some people start noticing a difference within the first couple of weeks. Not everyone, but it does happen.
Weeks Five Through Eight – Once a Week
After the induction stage is complete, you shift to weekly sessions.
This is aimed at maintaining the progress achieved and continuing to build on it.
Your psychiatric provider will be listening attentively to this phase – monitoring your mood, monitoring how life really feels daily, and ensuring that treatment is indeed doing what it is supposed to.
Week Nine and Beyond – Every One to Two Weeks
This is the maintenance phase, and it’s different for everyone. Some people come in every other week and do great.
Others find they need to come in weekly for a while longer. Your provider figures out what works best for you based on how you’re actually feeling. Not just a general formula.
What Happens at Each Appointment
Each session takes a few hours. You self-administer the nasal spray with your provider in the room, then you stay for at least two hours afterward.
The clinical team monitors blood pressure, sedation, and Spravato side effects, which can include a temporary feeling of being slightly detached from your surroundings.
It usually passes within the monitoring window.
A few things worth knowing before you start:
- You can’t drive yourself home. Bring someone or arrange a ride every time
- Plan to keep the rest of that day light
- Sessions are always in a certified clinical setting – never at home
Is Spravato a Controlled Substance?
Yes – Spravato is a controlled substance (Schedule III), which is part of why it’s only available through certified clinics and never dispensed for home use.
Every session happens in a supervised setting, and that’s a federal requirement, not just a clinic preference. It also means you can’t just pick it up at a pharmacy.
Treatment has to go through an approved Spravato treatment center or Spravato clinic that’s registered under the REMS program.
How to Get Spravato
If you’re wondering how to get Spravato, this process begins with a psychiatric exam.
Your medical professional will examine your history – that is, have you already tried two or more antidepressants without sufficient improvement?
In case you are eligible, they are going to guide you through the remaining process, such as insurance, appointments, and expectations.
In case cost is an issue, Spravato patient assistance programs are offered by the manufacturer to those who qualify, and it is covered by most insurance plans – including Medicare – under certain conditions.
Your Psychiatric Provider Guides the Whole Thing
The schedule isn’t set in stone. If you’re doing well, your provider might space things out.
If you hit a rough patch, they might bring sessions closer together for a while.
They are also considering how Spravato can be used together with any oral antidepressants you might already be taking, since it is typically taken together with other interventions like:
- Therapy
- Medication
- Lifestyle support
Treatment-resistant depression is difficult to treat.
Spravato was designed to be used just in that scenario, and the organized routine is one of the reasons why it succeeds.
Thinking About Starting?
If you’re searching for “Spravato clinics near me” in the Dallas area, Mind Glamour PLLC is a certified Spravato treatment center.
We provide esketamine therapy in a supervised setting.
Schedule a consultation here.
FAQs
How long is each session?
Typically, 2 to 2.5 hours, with the post-dose monitoring.
Do I need someone to drive me every time?
Yes, every single time. The drug may lead to short-term drowsiness or dizziness and driving is not safe immediately after.
Does insurance cover Spravato?
A lot of plans do, including Medicare, under specific criteria. We can help check your coverage before you commit to anything.
How soon might I feel something?
It varies. Some people notice a shift in the first week or two. Your provider tracks this closely and adjusts the plan as needed.
Does this apply to treatment-resistant depression?
Spravato is approved by the FDA for the treatment of adults with depression that is resistant to treatment and also in major depression that includes an acute suicidal ideation.