Spravato® - Fast Relief for Treatment-Resistant Depression

A breakthrough Esketamine nasal spray, FDA-cleared and covered by insurance.

Why Choose Spravato® at NBCG?

Spravato® (Esketamine) is a cutting-edge nasal spray for individuals who haven’t found success with traditional antidepressants.

 Works faster than oral antidepressants

FDA-cleared for treatment-resistant depression

Targets brain receptors differently than traditional meds

Insurance-covered alternative for lasting relief

Is Spravato® right for you? If you’ve tried two or more antidepressants without success, this may be your next step.

How Spravato® Treatment Works

Step 1: Spravato® is administered as a nasal spray under supervision.

Step 2: Patients relax in our clinic for 2 hours while being monitored.

Step 3: A caregiver must drive you home after treatment.

Treatment Plan: Twice weekly for 4 weeks, then weekly as needed
Insurance Accepted: Medicare and most private insurers.

The NBCG Difference

NBCG’s integrated mental health team ensures that Spravato® isn’t just a treatment—it’s part of a comprehensive recovery plan that supports your long-term mental health.

Convenient clinic locations across Northern Utah

Specialized Spravato® providers with extensive experience

Multidisciplinary approach for full-spectrum mental health care

“By the end of the Esketamine treatment, things were better than I could have imagined.”

-past Spravato® patient

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Spravato® (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray medication for depression. It is specifically approved for:

    • Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) – Recently, the FDA expanded its approval, meaning patients with TRD no longer need to be on another oral antidepressant to receive treatment.

    • Major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal thoughts or actions – In these cases, Spravato® is still used alongside an oral antidepressant.

    Spravato® has been clinically shown to improve depressive symptoms, often within just four weeks.

  • Unlike traditional antidepressants, which primarily target serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, Spravato® works on the glutamate system, which plays a key role in brain plasticity and mood regulation. By enhancing communication between brain cells, Spravato® helps restore synaptic connections that may be impaired in individuals with depression.

    Clinical studies have shown that Spravato® can significantly reduce depressive symptoms within just a few weeks, especially for those with treatment-resistant depression. Many patients begin experiencing improvement as early as 24 hours after the first dose.

  • Research suggests that untreated depression can cause long-term brain damage and may increase the risk of dementia. Studies indicate that individuals with depression experience up to 20% shrinkage of the hippocampus, a brain region responsible for memory and learning.

    Esketamine appears to counteract these harmful effects of depression. Animal studies show that chronic stress weakens connections between brain cells, but esketamine reverses these changes and promotes the growth of new neural connections. This makes Spravato® unique among antidepressants—not only does it prevent depression-related brain damage, but it also has a growth-promoting effect on the brain, fostering resilience and recovery.

  • Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) occurs when a person’s depressive symptoms persist despite trying multiple antidepressant medications and therapies at adequate doses and durations. Essentially, it means that standard treatments have not effectively alleviated their depression.

    • Up to 33% of people with depression do not respond to multiple conventional antidepressants.

    • Esketamine (Spravato®) has been shown in clinical trials to reduce depression symptoms in a majority of these individuals.

    • The only other FDA-approved drug therapy for TRD is a combination of olanzapine (an antipsychotic) and fluoxetine (a conventional antidepressant). However, this treatment is associated with significant long-term effects such as substantial weight gain, metabolic changes, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

    Spravato® offers a new treatment option for TRD that is targeted, fast-acting, and effective for many patients who have not responded to traditional medications.

  • If you have tried two or more antidepressants without success, you may have treatment-resistant depression (TRD). In that case, Spravato® could be the treatment option you’ve been looking for. A consultation with our team can help determine whether Spravato® is the right fit for you.

  • Spravato® (esketamine) is a derivative of ketamine, but unlike ketamine infusions, it is FDA-approved for depression treatment. While ketamine is sometimes used off-label for depression, it has not received FDA approval. Both Spravato® and ketamine are Schedule III controlled substances.

    Because Spravato® is FDA-approved, it is covered by most insurance plans, while ketamine infusions typically are not.

  • During your appointment, you will self-administer the Spravato® nasal spray under the supervision of a healthcare provider at our office. You will then remain in a comfortable setting for a two-hour observation period to monitor for any side effects.

    Unlike daily antidepressants, Spravato® follows a structured treatment schedule:

    • Weeks 1-4: Two treatments per week

    • Weeks 5-8: One treatment per week

    • After Week 8: One treatment every two weeks, as needed

    Common side effects include temporary sedation, dissociation, nausea, dizziness, vertigo, or headache.

  • Like any medication, Spravato® (esketamine) can cause side effects, though they are usually temporary and diminish after the first few treatments. Some of the most common side effects include:

    • Hallucinations or feeling disconnected from reality (dissociation)

    • Nausea

    • Drowsiness

    • Increased blood pressure

    • Feeling drunk or lightheaded

    • Headache

    These effects tend to peak around 40 minutes after administration and usually subside within the two-hour observation period.

    Most patients experience the most intense side effects during the first two sessions, with symptoms decreasing in severity over time. If you are concerned about side effects or feel your current depression treatment isn’t working, talk to your psychiatrist about whether Spravato® is the right option for yo

  • Yes. Spravato® has been FDA-approved since 2019 and has undergone extensive clinical trials for both safety and effectiveness. Because it is administered in-office, our team carefully monitors each patient throughout their treatment session. Before starting therapy, we will discuss all potential risks, side effects, and interactions to ensure Spravato® is the right choice for you.

  • No. Spravato® can only be administered at a certified treatment center under medical supervision. Due to the risks of sedation, dissociation, respiratory depression, and potential misuse, it is part of the SPRAVATO® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program. This means it is not available for home use or pharmacy purchase.

  • If you have commercial insurance, we can enroll you in a savings card program that may reduce the cost of the medication to approximately $10 per treatment. Coverage varies by insurance plan, and we can assist you in understanding your benefits and available savings options.

Meet the Spravato® Team at NBCG

Our team is made up of compassionate and dedicated professionals who are experts in their fields. We are passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of our patients and empowering families through supportive, evidence-based treatment.

Jordan Illing, PharmD
Medical Director

Clio Schriever
Medical Assistant

Levi Crowley
Medical Assistant

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