If you have been battling depression that does not seem to improve—no matter how many medications you have tried—you may have heard of Spravato. It is a nasal spray form of esketamine that is receiving a lot of attention for treatment-resistant depression. However, you may wonder, “What is the success rate of Spravato treatment?” Let us review what the research says.
Overview of Spravato
This medication is FDA-approved for adults with treatment-resistant depression. That term means you have already tried at least two different antidepressants, at the right doses and for an appropriate length of time, but you are still struggling with symptoms.
Traditional antidepressants target serotonin or norepinephrine, while Spravato works on the glutamate system, which plays a role in learning, memory, and mood. Because of this, some people notice effects of improved mood within hours or days after Spravato treatment, rather than waiting weeks like with standard medications.
Since Spravato can cause side effects, such as dizziness or feeling foggy or distracted, it is only administered in certified clinics. There you will administer the nasal spray yourself under supervision, then stay for about two hours while providers monitor you.
What the Research Shows About Success Rates
One of the most important studies on Spravato was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in 2019 by Popova and colleagues. In this clinical trial, adults with treatment-resistant depression were randomly assigned to either Spravato plus a standard antidepressant or a placebo nasal spray plus a standard antidepressant.
They found that after four weeks, people receiving Spravato had a significantly greater reduction in depression symptoms compared to the placebo group. By the end of the study, about 70 percent of the patients on Spravato showed at least some improvement, and around 50 percent achieved clinical response (i.e., their symptoms were halved). Roughly one in three patients went into remission, meaning their depression symptoms dropped to very low or non-clinical levels.
If you have already tried multiple antidepressants without success, Spravato is a chance to try a medication that has a proven effect in a clinical trial. Spravato will not work for everyone, but for many people with treatment-resistant depression, it can make a big difference. About half of patients who use it experience major improvements, and one in three may achieve remission.
Contact the Nexus Group To Discuss the Success Rate of Spravato Treatment
If you are wondering whether Spravato treatments have a good success rate, contact the Nexus Group today. We could talk through your history, answer questions, and see if this treatment could be right for you.