Antidepressant Quiz Results

Spravato® (esketamine) is a nasal spray derived from the drug ketamine, which has long been used by surgeons and veterinarians for its potent painkilling and sedative properties. In the 2000s, medical professionals began observing and researching the ability of low doses of ketamine to quickly relieve depression and suicidal thoughts. This led to the formulation of Spravato® and its approval by the FDA in 2019 for treating adults with depression that is treatment-resistant or accompanied by suicidal thoughts.

Spravato® works in an entirely different way than most currently prescribed antidepressants. Unlike traditional antidepressants, Spravato® operates on glutamate – a chemical messenger that regulates your nervous system and performs a significant role in your brain’s response to experiences. Neuroimaging shows that Spravato® spurs a release of glutamate in the prefrontal cortex. Researchers suspect that this surge activates downstream receptors, which then trigger new synapses to grow. This growth may increase communication between your brain cells and positively affect your mood.

Another important difference from traditional antidepressants is that Spravato® works almost instantly, instead of taking several weeks or longer to improve symptoms. These fast-acting effects make Spravato® especially useful if you’re in crisis and require a fast-acting treatment.

On treatment days, you will self-administer Spravato® nasal spray at the Athena Care clinic under medical supervision. After taking your dose, you will relax at the clinic for at least two hours to check for possible side effects, such as a temporary increase in blood pressure ​, dissociation, and sedation. Your care provider will let you know when it’s okay to leave the clinic. You won’t be able to drive or operate heavy machinery until the following day, so you will need to plan for rides on treatment days.

Treatment generally includes two sessions per week for the first month ​and one session per week during the second month. ​At this point, you will work with your Spravato treatment team to determine if any additional Spravato treatments are necessary.

Spravato® is prescribed along with a daily oral antidepressant.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-cleared treatment for depression that does not require surgery or medication. It is safe, effective and well-tolerated by most patients, without the side effects associated with typical psychiatric medications.

While you relax in a chair, the TMS magnet gently sits on your head and sends low-dose magnetic pulses to specific parts of your brain involved in mood regulation. These magnetic pulses pass through your skull and into your brain without distortion, which allows your doctor to focus the stimulation on areas that have likely been underactive during depression (the prefrontal circuit). You will remain awake and alert throughout the session.

TMS treatments usually occur 5 days per week for 6 weeks and each session lasts about 20 minutes.

During the treatment session, you can sit comfortably and read, watch TV or use a handheld electronic device. You’ll hear a clicking sound and feel a rapid tapping sensation as the magnetic pulses are released.

You can drive yourself home after the treatment and resume your normal activities.