When antidepressants haven't brought the relief, you were hoping for, it's easy to feel worn down. Avatar Behavioral Health is a treatment center certified in the SPRAVATO REMS Program, in East Brunswick, New Jersey, offering esketamine nasal spray for adults whose depression has not responded to other medications. You take the nasal spray yourself, under the supervision of a healthcare provider, and stay with us for at least two hours afterward while we monitor you. Your provider decides when you are ready to leave.
SPRAVATO can cause serious side effects, including sedation, dissociation, respiratory depression, abuse and misuse, and increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. Please read the Important Safety Information below, along with the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
SPRAVATO (esketamine) is a prescription nasal spray for adults. It is used with or without an antidepressant taken by mouth to treat adults with treatment-resistant depression, and with an antidepressant taken by mouth to treat depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder who have suicidal thoughts or actions.
Esketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist and acts on the brain’s glutamate system rather than the serotonin pathways targeted by most oral antidepressants. The mechanism by which esketamine produces its antidepressant effect is unknown.
Because of the risks of sedation, dissociation, respiratory depression, and abuse and misuse, SPRAVATO® is available only through a restricted program called the SPRAVATO® REMS Program. It can only be administered at healthcare settings certified in the program, and patients treated in outpatient settings must be enrolled.
SPRAVATO may be appropriate for adults who:
SPRAVATO is not for use in children. Before treatment, tell your clinician about all your medical conditions, including heart or brain problems, high blood pressure, liver problems, any history of psychosis, and any history of alcohol or drug problems, and all medicines you take.
A clinician reviews your symptoms, medications, and medical history, including blood pressure and heart, brain, and liver history.
Patients treated in outpatient settings must be enrolled in the SPRAVATO REMS Program before treatment.
Do not eat for at least 2 hours before, or drink liquids for at least 30 minutes before. If you take a nasal corticosteroid or decongestant, take it at least 1 hour beforehand.
We check your blood pressure, show you how to use the device, and observe while you self-administer.
A healthcare provider monitors you for at least 2 hours, including your blood pressure and breathing, and decides when you are ready to leave.
For treatment-resistant depression, dosing is twice weekly for four weeks, then weekly, then every one to two weeks. Follow your schedule exactly as your provider tells you.
SPRAVATO is a prescription medicine used: MG:
It is not known if SPRAVATO is safe and effective for use in preventing suicide or in reducing suicidal thoughts or actions. SPRAVATO is not for use in place of hospitalization if your healthcare provider determines that hospitalization is needed, even if you improve after the first dose. It is not for use as an anesthetic, and it is not for use in children.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or go to your nearest emergency room. Do not wait for an appointment.
Esketamine acts on the glutamate system rather than serotonin.
Taken at a certified center under supervision, not at home.
A set schedule of in-office visits rather than a daily pill.
with or without an oral antidepressant.
SPRAVATO may cause sleepiness, dizziness, a spinning sensation, or feeling disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, feelings, space and time. Your healthcare provider must monitor you for at least 2 hours and will decide when you are ready to leave. Our monitoring rooms are private, and a member of the clinical team stays with you throughout.
During an Spravato treatment appointment:
Because Spravato may temporarily affect alertness, patients must arrange transportation following treatment.
Many commercial plans cover SPRAVATO® for treatment-resistant depression, but nearly all require prior authorization and decide case by case. We verify your benefits and submit authorization before your first appointment, and we tell you your expected out-of-pocket cost before you commit. If your plan denies coverage, we'll walk you through the appeal.
Avatar Behavioral Health is committed to providing evidence-based mental health care in New Jersey through personalized treatment and compassionate support. Patients benefit from:
