You've tried more than one antidepressant, taken as prescribed, every single day, and you're still waiting to feel like yourself. Adding yet another daily pill to the mix can start to feel less like a solution and more like a routine you're stuck managing.

A Treatment That Doesn't Always Require a Daily Pill

Spravato is FDA-approved for adults whose depression hasn't improved enough after trying two or more antidepressants. For this specific indication, Spravato can be used on its own, without a daily oral antidepressant alongside it.

That's different from Spravato's other approved use, for adults with major depressive disorder and suicidal thoughts, where it's used together with an oral antidepressant, not as a standalone option.

Which path applies to you depends entirely on your specific diagnosis and history, something only a full evaluation can determine.

How Spravato Is Actually Administered

Instead of something you take at home every day, Spravato is a nasal spray given in a certified medical office, on a schedule your provider sets. Treatment usually starts with an induction phase, a few sessions per week for the first few weeks.

Man reclined with an eye mask using a nasal spray under a provider's supervision in a treatment room with warm, soft light

After that, most patients move to a maintenance phase, with sessions spaced further apart, sometimes weekly or every other week. Each session includes a period of observation afterward, since you won't be able to drive yourself home the same day.

It's a different rhythm than a daily pill, but it's still a real commitment, with in-office visits and monitoring built in.

Why Consider This Instead of Another New Medication?

Spravato works on a different pathway in the brain than most oral antidepressants, which is part of why some patients notice changes sooner than they did with previous medications.

That doesn't make it the right fit for everyone. Figuring out whether it makes sense, and whether it could work as a standalone treatment in your case, starts with a real evaluation, not a decision made from a blog post.

Take the Next Step

If daily medication hasn't gotten you where you want to be, it's worth learning about the other options available, including whether Spravato alone could be part of your path forward.

At ARC Mental Health in Miami and South Florida, our team can walk you through a full evaluation and explain what treatment with Spravato would actually look like for you. Reach out to schedule a consultation.

Reach out to schedule a consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I always have to take an antidepressant alongside Spravato?

Not always. If your depression hasn't improved after two or more antidepressants, Spravato may be used on its own. For depression with suicidal thoughts, it's used together with an oral antidepressant.

How is this different from just switching to a new pill?

Spravato works through a different mechanism than most oral antidepressants and is administered in-office under supervision, rather than taken at home.

Will I need to come in often?

More often at the start, several times a week during induction, then spaced out during maintenance.

Is Spravato covered by insurance?

ARC Mental Health accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and most major insurance plans. Our office can help confirm your specific benefits.

Is Spravato available in Spanish?

Yes. ARC Mental Health offers Spravato treatment in both English and Spanish.