First Spravato Session: What to Expect

Spravato is an FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray used with an oral antidepressant for adults with treatment-resistant depression or major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation in specific clinical situations.

Unlike a standard prescription you take at home, Spravato is administered in a certified healthcare setting. A medical team monitors you during and after each dose because the medication can cause temporary dissociation, dizziness, or blood pressure changes.

Before Spravato begins, your psychiatrist reviews your depression history, prior antidepressant trials, medical conditions, and current medications. Spravato is not appropriate for everyone, and safety screening matters.

Your provider explains the REMS requirements, possible side effects, and what success looks like over a series of sessions rather than after a single dose.

You self-administer the nasal spray under direct supervision. Staff monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, and overall comfort in a quiet treatment space.

Appointments typically last about two hours, including observation time after the dose. Some patients feel relaxed, lightheaded, or briefly detached from their surroundings. These effects usually fade before discharge.

You must arrange for someone to drive you home after each session. Driving and operating heavy machinery should be avoided for the rest of the day.

Planning transportation in advance reduces stress and helps you stay consistent with the treatment schedule.

Spravato is usually given twice weekly at first, then tapered based on response. Many patients are evaluated across several weeks to track mood, suicidal thoughts, side effects, and function.

MindVibe provides Spravato in a supervised setting with psychiatric follow-up so treatment stays coordinated with your overall depression plan.