If you have been considering
SPRAVATO® after other treatments have not brought the relief you were hoping for, it makes sense to want to understand exactly what the process looks like before you commit to it. Trying something new for your mental health can already feel like a big step, and not knowing what actually happens during treatment can add even more worry to an already difficult situation. You deserve to feel informed, not left guessing about what a session will involve.
That is where understanding the administration and monitoring for SPRAVATO® can really help put your mind at ease. Learning how this medication is given, and the safety measures built around it, can turn uncertainty into confidence. Our goal is to walk you through the process so you know exactly what to expect from the moment you arrive at our office to the moment you head home.
How Is SPRAVATO® Administered?
SPRAVATO® is a nasal spray, but unlike most medications you might pick up at a pharmacy, you never take it home. You self-administer every dose under the direct supervision of a trained provider in a comfortable treatment room at our office. You will use the device to spray each nostril as directed, alternating between them, with your provider guiding you through the process and answering any questions along the way.
The actual administration itself only takes a few minutes. Your dose is determined by your provider based on your symptoms and how your body responds over time. This careful, hands-on approach to administering and monitoring SPRAVATO® is exactly why it can only be given in a certified clinical setting rather than at home.
Why You Need to Be Monitored After Taking SPRAVATO®
Once your dose is given, your appointment is not over. You will need to stay in our office for at least two hours so our team can monitor you closely. This requirement exists because SPRAVATO® can cause temporary
side effects such as:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- A floating or detached feeling
- Changes in blood pressure
Your provider will check your blood pressure before your dose and again at intervals afterward to make sure everything stays within a safe range.
Most side effects fade within that two-hour window, but your care team wants to confirm you are stable before you leave. Because of these lingering effects, you will also need someone to drive you home after each session, since driving yourself is not considered safe on treatment days. This level of oversight is central to what makes administration and monitoring so important, and it reflects our commitment to your safety at every step of SPRAVATO® treatment.
Call Us to Learn More About SPRAVATO® Administration And Monitoring
Understanding the administration and monitoring for SPRAVATO® can take away a lot of the fear that comes with trying something new. From the moment your dose is given to the monitoring that follows, every part of the process is designed to keep you safe while giving the medication time to work. Our team has an extensive background in higher levels of care, including inpatient mental health and addiction treatment, so close, careful monitoring is simply part of how we practice every day.
Our roots in this community run deep, going back to when Dr. Hauser's grandfather was one of the first psychiatrists in Houston. If you are ready to learn more about what a SPRAVATO® appointment truly involves,
give our office a call today.
