Spravato (esketamine) treatment center in Knoxville, Tennessee

If antidepressants haven’t healed your depression, you’re not alone. Roughly 1 in 3 people with depression don’t get relief from conventional antidepressants ^[1].  Spravato offers a new option. It works through an entirely different pathway in the brain, and for many people with treatment-resistant depression, it helps when nothing else has. 

If you or someone who you love struggles with depression even after two or more medication attempts, schedule a free, 15-minute consultation with us today to learn more.

What is Spravato?

Spravato (esketamine) is a prescription nasal spray, FDA-approved in March 2019, for adults with treatment-resistant depression. Unlike traditional antidepressants that target serotonin, Spravato works on glutamate, the brain’s most abundant chemical messenger, which is why it can act in days rather than weeks. And as of January 2025, the FDA expanded Spravato’s approval: it’s now the first and only standalone treatment for treatment-resistant depression, meaning it no longer has to be paired with a daily oral antidepressant for everyone ^[2]. 

Is Spravato right for you?

Spravato may be an option if you’ve been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and have tried at least 2 different antidepressants at adequate doses without enough relief, which is how doctors define treatment-resistant depression. It can be taken as a standalone treatment, and it’s also approved for adults with depressive symptoms alongside acute suicidal thoughts or behavior, when taken with an oral antidepressant. Your Athena Care care specialist will review your history, current medications, and blood pressure to confirm that Spravato is a safe fit. For example, it isn’t recommended for people with certain blood vessel conditions or a history of brain bleeding. 

What a Spravato session in Knoxville looks like

Every session happens at our REMS-certified Knoxville clinic, never at home. Here’s the rhythm of a visit: you’ll check in, we’ll take your blood pressure, and you’ll self-administer the nasal spray under the supervision of our clinical team. Then you’ll relax in a comfortable chair for a required 2-hour observation period while we monitor how you feel ^[3]. Many people listen to music, rest, or simply let the appointment be quiet time. 

Plan for a ride: because Spravato can cause temporary drowsiness and dissociation, you can’t drive until the next day, after a restful night’s sleep. Most people feel back to themselves by evening. 

Meet our Chief Medical Officer

Athena Care’s Chief Medical Officer is the psychiatrist Dr. Amanda Sparks-Bushnell, M.D. She oversees Athena Care’s Spravato program.

How often will I need treatment?|

 
Our care team will create the right treatment plan for you. In general, you can expect treatment for Spravato to look something like this: 
 

Weeks 1-4 (induction): 2 sessions per week. 

Weeks 5-8: 1 session per week. 

Week 9 and beyond (maintenance): 1 session every 1 to 2 weeks, based on how you respond. 

How well does Spravato work?

Since 2023, Athena Care has successfully treated hundreds of patients with Spravato, with excellent results^[i]: 

• 91% of Athena Care patients had a clinically meaningful improvement in depressive symptoms and 80% had a clinically substantial improvement ^[ii]

• 64% of Athena Care patients had at least a 50% reduction in symptoms (“responders”) 

• 41% of Athena Care patients achieved remission (symptom-free) ^[iii]

On average, patient depression scores improved by 57%.  

 Safety and side effects 

The most common side effects are temporary and happen during or shortly after a session, They include dissociation (feeling detached or dreamlike), sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, and a short-term rise in blood pressure. In clinical trials, sedation occurred in roughly half of patients, which is exactly why every session includes 2 hours of monitoring ^[3]. Spravato isn’t recommended if you have aneurysmal blood vessel disease, an arteriovenous malformation, or a history of bleeding in the brain, or if you’re pregnant. Your prescriber will walk through all of this with you before your first dose. 

How much does Spravato therapy cost in Knoxville, TN? 

Most major insurance plans cover Spravato for eligible patients.  This means that, with commercial insurance, most people pay $10 per visit for the medication, plus any co-pay costs for an office visit. Athena Care doesn’t offer self-pay options for Spravato. 

Does insurance cover Spravato treatment? 

We accept Aetna, Ambetter, BCBS, Cigna, Medicare, UnitedHealthcare and more insurance types for Spravato treatment at our Knoxville location. Our team handles the prior authorization with your insurer, which Spravato usually requires, so you don’t have to complete that paperwork alone. 

Our Knoxville Spravato clinic 

You’ll find us at 10133 Sherrill Boulevard, Suite 220, Knoxville, TN 37932, in West Knoxville just off Kingston Pike with free parking. We treat patients from across Knox County, including Farragut, Powell, Karns, and Oak Ridge, Monday through Friday, 7am to 6pm. Call or text us at 1-855-390-4357, or schedule a free, 15-minute consultation to get started.

Early morning, lunchtime and after-school availability

Athena Care’s Knoxville clinic offers early morning, lunchtime and after-school time slots for Spravato patients. Contact our care team to learn more about current availability. Call or text us at 1-855-390-4357 to get started.

Other related and similar treatments to Spravato 

Curious how Spravato compares to ketamine infusions? Both come from the same parent molecule, but Spravato is the FDA-approved nasal spray covered by insurance, while IV and IM ketamine are used off-label for depression. Our team offers both and can help you find the right option for you. Visit this article to compare different advanced treatment options.

Frequently asked questions about Spravato in Knoxville 

How fast does Spravato work? 

Some people notice a shift within the first few sessions; the pivotal trials measured meaningful improvement within 4 weeks ^[4]. Your care team checks in at every visit to track your response. 

Why can’t I drive after treatment? 

Spravato can cause drowsiness and dissociation for several hours, so the FDA requires that you not drive until the next day after a restful sleep. Plan for a ride home from each session. 

Is Spravato the same as ketamine? 

They’re related but not identical. Spravato is esketamine, a form of the ketamine molecule, delivered as an FDA-approved nasal spray with insurance coverage. Ketamine infusions are a separate, off-label option. 

Do I stop my current antidepressant? 

Not necessarily. Many people continue their oral antidepressant alongside Spravato, but since January 2025, Spravato can now be prescribed on its own. Your prescriber will build the plan that fits you; never stop a medication without talking to your provider first. 

How long is each appointment? 

Plan for about 2.5 hours: a brief check-in, the nasal spray, and the required 2-hour monitoring period. 

Does insurance really cover it? 

Most major plans do cover Spravato, with prior authorization. With commercial insurance and the manufacturer’s savings program, many patients pay approximately $10 per treatment, plus their co-pay for an office visit. We verify your exact benefits before you start. 

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