Can I Take Spravato® at Home?

It’s a common question: if Spravato® is a nasal spray, why can’t I use it at home? The answer comes down to safety. We must monitor the treatment so you receive its benefits while minimizing potential risks.

Many medications for depression are safe to take at home, so it is natural to wonder whether Spravato® works the same way. The simple answer is no. Spravato must be administered in a certified medical setting under the supervision of trained healthcare professionals.

This requirement is part of a safety program called the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). Because of certain potential side effects and risks, the medication can only be given in clinics that are certified to provide it.

At Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy, we carefully supervise Spravato treatment so you receive the therapy safely while benefiting from its unique antidepressant effects.

Why medical supervision is required

Spravato is administered as a nasal spray, but it’s not used like a typical prescription. You self-administer the spray in our office while our healthcare professionals observe the process.

After you take the dose, you remain here for monitoring. This is necessary because several temporary effects can occur after treatment.

Sedation

Some patients feel very drowsy or sedated after receiving Spravato, so we keep an eye on you until you’re alert and stable before leaving.

Dissociation

Another potential effect is dissociation. This can feel like a temporary sense of detachment from your surroundings or from your own thoughts and sensations.

Although these experiences typically resolve quickly, they can feel unsettling if they occur without medical support. Monitoring allows us to ensure you stay comfortable and safe.

Changes in blood pressure

Spravato can cause increases in blood pressure shortly after treatment. We check your blood pressure before and after each session to ensure it remains within a safe range.

Slowed breathing and other rare effects

In rare situations, medications like esketamine (the active ingredient in Spravato) may affect breathing. Monitoring helps us respond quickly if any unexpected symptoms occur.

Because of these possibilities, you remain in our office for observation for at least two hours after each treatment session.

What a typical Spravato visit looks like

A typical treatment session at Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy includes several steps designed for safety and comfort.

First, we review your symptoms and check your vital signs. After that, you self-administer the nasal spray under supervision.

Following the dose, you relax in a monitored setting for about two hours while the care team observes your response to the medication. Because Spravato can temporarily affect alertness and coordination, patients must arrange for someone else to drive them home afterward.

Safe, supervised care at Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy

If you’re struggling with treatment-resistant depression, Spravato may be one of several options available to help you find relief.

At Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy, we provide Spravato treatment in a carefully supervised clinical setting designed for safety, comfort, and personalized care.

To determine whether Spravato therapy could be appropriate for you, schedule an appointment online or call our offices in Aurora or Chicago, Illinois, or Las Vegas, Nevada, today.