Approximately a third of Americans who live with depression have treatment-resistant depression that doesn’t improve with traditional approaches. Alexis Meshi, MD, offers FDA-approved Spravato® as an alternative therapy at Superior Psychiatric Services in Newport Beach, California. If you’ve tried antidepressant medications without relief of your symptoms, call or schedule a consultation online today to find out if Spravato is right for you.

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What is Spravato?

Spravato is an esketamine nasal spray used to relieve treatment-resistant depression. Esketamine is derived from ketamine, a powerful anesthetic. The FDA approved esketamine as a depression treatment in 2019.

Traditional antidepressants can take several weeks or even months to reach their full effectiveness. Spravato affects different parts of your brain and can provide more rapid relief of your symptoms.

Dr. Meshi combines Spravato with oral antidepressants. In clinical trials, patients with treatment-resistant depression who took the combined treatments did better than those who only took oral antidepressants.

What is treatment-resistant depression?

Treatment-resistant depression occurs when you have clinical depression and have tried at least two antidepressant medications without adequate relief of your symptoms. Approximately a third of people who have depression have treatment-resistant depression.

What should I expect from Spravato treatment?

Dr. Meshi provides Spravato in her luxurious and comfortable office. The nasal spray is administered under her direct supervision; she never delegates this service to a technician.

You rest for at least two hours after using the spray. Dr. Meshi stays with you as the medication takes effect. Her goal is to help you feel safe and comfortable, as Spravato can cause dissociation and a sedative effect.

When you start Spravato treatment, you use the nasal spray twice a week for the first four weeks. Then you use the medication once a week for four weeks. After your first two months of treatment, you only need to take Spravato once every other week.  After the third month, Dr. Meshi tailors the frequency of booster sessions to your individual needs.

It’s best if you have a friend or family member drive you home after your Spravato treatments. The medication can leave you sleepy and disoriented. After a restful sleep, you should be alert and able to do everything you need to do the next day.

How do I know if Spravato is right for me?

Dr. Meshi provides thorough consultations before prescribing any medication. If you’ve struggled with depression and have tried at least two conventional antidepressant medications without relief, Spravato might be right for you.

Call Superior Psychiatric Services or make an appointment online today to learn more about Spravato and how it can relieve treatment-resistant depression.