Imagine a nasal spray that you can use to help treat your depression. SPRAVATO® was developed as a nasal spray designed to address depression, as well as help patients who have suicidal thoughts or have tried to take their own lives. With the FDA expanding approval for this nasal spray for use by those with suicidal thoughts, more lives can be saved.
SPRARVATO®
SPRAVATO® is the first FDA-approved antidepressant medication to show a reduction in symptoms for those with major depressive disorder within 24 hours after the first dose. The drug’s quick-acting effects can be useful in those with suicidal thoughts since existing drugs can take weeks or longer for the effects to appear. A dose of SPRAVATO® can help get a person out of a terrible situation when they start to feel overwhelmed. This can be beneficial to those with intense suicidal thoughts.
What Makes SPRAVATO® a Successful Treatment?
More than 40% of suicidal patients who used the nasal spray had greatly reduced symptoms after four weeks of treatment. SPRAVATO® contains the ingredient esketamine hydrochloride, which is the chemical cousin of the pain reliever ketamine. Another reason for SPRAVATO’s success is that the patients who used the nasal spray were hospitalized for at least several days, received other antidepressants, and attended therapy sessions twice a week for four weeks. This medication is intended to be taken in a hospital or clinic setting to ensure symptoms can be monitored, including blood pressure and heart rate. Additionally, this setting is safer in the event that patients endure any out-of-body experiences.
What Makes This Study Different From Others?
The studies that led to SPRAVATO’s approval were different than other similar studies because they included patients who were suicidal. Prior to this research, only patients with severe depression were considered, while those who were suicidal were excluded. Having a nasal spray like this available in hospitals is even more important right now, because of the stress and depression that people are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people are isolated, without jobs, and scared of the impending future. These are factors that play a role in depressive thoughts. It is important to remember that this nasal spray is not a quick fix for your depression. However, it can help move things along in your journey to getting better. SPRAVATO® has the potential to calm down your suicidal thoughts and should be combined with a mix of therapy sessions and other antidepressant medications to help you be happy again.
SPRAVATO® is an FDA-approved nasal spray that can help those experiencing suicidal thoughts. Remember that even though this nasal spray can help ease your depressive symptoms, it is not a quick fix or a cure for depression. Located in Georgetown, Texas, Alta Loma recognizes the challenges of having depression, and our kind, compassionate staff strives to do whatever they can to make life a bit easier for you. At Alta Loma, we understand how serious it is to have suicidal thoughts and know it takes professional help to get better. Alta Loma’s transformative treatment center can set you up with mental health specialists that can design a plan specifically for you. Your psychiatric needs are our first priority, along with providing you with therapeutic recreational activities, life skills and coping skills education, medication management, long-term continuum care, and much more. If you are ready to get the help you need, please call us today at (866) 457-3843.
