Ketamine

What is esketamine?

Ketamine is an anesthetic that causes a state of sedation (relaxation) and pain relief. It’s considered a dissociative drug, as it makes patients feel detached from their environments. Ketamine in various forms has also been shown to reduce anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. 

Spravato (esketamine or intranasal ketamine) is an antidepressant medication used under medical supervision for treatment-resistant depression or depression symptoms that haven’t responded to other treatments. Patients struggling with depression take Spravato in conjunction with an oral antidepressant.

How is esketamine administered?

Due to its potential side effects, Paramount Health Directions only offers esketamine treatments in the office under medical supervision. Each administration session can last up to 2.5 hours, allowing your provider to monitor your medication tolerance.

How does esketamine help depression?

Spravato targets the n-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and appears to work differently than oral antidepressants. This medicine allows access to new brain pathways with a better response to your current medications when used as an add-on treatment.

Who is a candidate for esketamine nasal spray?

You might be a candidate for Spravato esketamine spray if you have the following symptoms and other treatments haven’t worked to ease your depression:

• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Physical aches and pains
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Feeling hopeless, worthless, or empty
• Weight loss or gain
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble sleeping
• Extreme sadness
• Ongoing sad feelings
• Thoughts of suicide
• Fatigue

Paramount Health Directions also provides psychotherapy, oral medications, nutrition therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and numerous other treatment options for depression. The team uses genetic testing to establish the best medications for your personalized needs.

What should I expect when receiving esketamine?

You administer Spravato esketamine spray at the Paramount Health Directions office under your provider’s guidance. You cannot use Spravato at home. Avoid eating anything for several hours before receiving your dosage, and don’t drink liquids within 30 minutes of your treatment session (unless otherwise instructed by your specialist). 

Side effects Spravato may cause include vomiting, nausea, extreme drowsiness, dissociation, anxiety, dizziness, confusion, and lightheadedness. That’s why you must come to the Paramount Health Directions office to receive this form of esketamine.

Plan to have a friend or family member drive you home afterward and take the rest of the day off from work.

You might receive Spravato two times weekly at first, then taper off to once every 1-2 weeks. The Paramount Health Directions team determines how long you should take Spravato to achieve the best outcome.

Schedule an evaluation at Paramount Health Directions by phone or request one online today to determine if esketamine is right for you.