When typical antidepressant medications fail to provide relief and symptoms of depression and suicidality persist, Spravato® (esketamine) may be the solution. Interventional Psychiatry Group in the community of Cordova in Memphis, Tennessee, is proud to offer this safe and effective option to those suffering from treatment-resistant depression and suicidality.
Esketamine is a non-competitive N-methyl-D-asparatate (NMDA) receptor antagonist and a molecular component of ketamine, an anesthetic medication that has shown high levels of efficacy in its off-label use for depression.
Different from ketamine, Spravato® (esketamine) has been FDA-approved for depression and, therefore, can be used on-label. While both medications have similar effects, Spravato® (esketamine) has been shown to have a higher potency than an IV infusion of ketamine, with fewer side effects. Since Spravato® (esketamine) is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression, most insurance companies will cover its use in eligible patients.
Spravato® (esketamine) treats depression in multiple ways, including stimulation of new neuron growth, which improves cellular communication within the brain by decreasing harmful inflammation.
To be eligible for Spravato® (esketamine) treatment, you must:
Spravato® (esketamine) is administered in our outpatient clinic under the supervision of our clinical staff. Spravato® (esketamine) is administered via single-use nasal spray devices). The dosing schedule of Spravato® (esketamine) is broken up into two phases: the induction phase (weeks 1-4) and the maintenance phase (weeks 4-8, then weeks 9+).
After administration, you will rest comfortably under the supervision of our clinical team for approximately two hours. When the treatment and supervision are complete, a friend or family member must drive you home. You may be tired for the rest of the day, but any fatigue will pass by the time you wake up the following morning.
Spravato® (esketamine) will be billed through your medical or pharmacy benefits. We send prescriptions to Restore Rx, Genoa, or Twelvestone. One of those three pharmacies usually contracts with their insurance to fill Spravato® (esketamine). If a prior authorization (PA) is needed, we will work with the pharmacy. If there are problems with insurance (straight Medicare requires buy and bill), we will apply to the Johnson & Johnson Care Foundation. We have had great success getting our patients approved through this program.
Call Interventional Psychiatry Group to schedule an initial psychiatric evaluation or request to schedule by completing our online booking form today.
The information provided above is for educational purposes only. Professional evaluation is required to make a formal diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.