How Spravato® Differs from Traditional Antidepressants

As discussions around mental illness grow more nuanced, many people have spoken out about treatment-resistant depression. It can be disheartening to try medication after medication and still feel out of touch with your life and emotions. If you’ve failed to find relief through lifestyle changes and traditional antidepressants, Spravato® might provide an alternative solution.

At Ketalink Ketamine Center in Levittown, New York, the providers specialize in ketamine-based therapy for a variety of conditions, including ketamine-based Spravato for depression.

How Spravato works 

Spravato is a nasal spray containing low doses of esketamine. When absorbed through the nasal passages, it works by interacting with neurotransmitters. Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist, which means it binds to these receptors and increases the amount of glutamate in the brain. This action improves your mood and reduces feelings of depression, while repairing damage caused by stress hormones.

When you endure high levels of stress and depression for long periods of time, it affects your brain’s ability to communicate effectively. Ketamine can provide relief and encourage healing, making it a promising solution for treatment-resistant depression.

What makes Spravato different 

There are many different types of antidepressants, but most are classified as either selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Both  work by slowing down how quickly the brain absorbs neurotransmitters like serotonin or norepinephrine, regulating your emotions and helping you feel happy and hopeful.

Atypical antidepressants such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) exist, but these might not be appropriate depending on your lifestyle, diet, existing medications, or the severity of your depression. However, many people who have tried reuptake inhibitors without success move on to atypical options.

Ketamine infusions and Spravato are different drugs entirely. Many people experience calming or dissociative effects while the ketamine takes effect (usually for about two hours), and then long-lasting results boost their mood and make them feel more safe, secure, and confident. After years or decades of living with depression, Spravato can provide patients with a new lease on life.

Who is a good candidate for Spravato

Spravato should not be your first option for treatment. Talk therapy and traditional antidepressants have a high success rate, even if it takes time to find the right medication and therapist. Coping with depression also requires healing and self-improvement, which can also take time.

However, if your depression has become chronic, severe, and treatment-resistant, it might be time to consider a different approach. Research indicates that ketamine has the potential to alleviate and repair mental damage caused by depression, making it a worthwhile option for those who have grown tired and disillusioned by other treatments.

To learn more about Spravato and see if it’s right for you, get in touch with the team at Ketalink Ketamine Center by calling 516-703-4937, or book an appointment online today.