SPRAVATO® Treatment
Expected availability in March 2026.
Hope. Healing. A New Way Forward.
Conventional medications can be a powerful tool for managing mental health conditions. But for many patients, the results are disappointing and frustrating. Too often, the side effects of the medication outweigh the benefits, or progress stalls without meaningful improvements.
SPRAVATO® offers a different path forward.
Administered as an esketamine nasal spray in our clinic, it works in new ways to relieve symptoms of treatment-resistant depression—often when other options have failed.
While SPRAVATO® therapy isn’t a “quick fix,” many of our patients describe feeling lighter, more energized, and more hopeful after beginning treatment.
It’s safe, non-invasive, and FDA-approved, and always administered under the careful supervision of our team. Want to learn more about SPRAVATO® for depression? We’re here to answer all your questions.
Is SPRAVATO® Right For You?
SPRAVATO® isn’t for everyone, but for adults living with treatment-resistant depression, it can be transformational. You may be a good candidate if:
Multiple Medications Haven’t Worked
You’ve tried different prescriptions, sometimes more than once, hoping each one might finally bring relief. Instead, the results have been disappointing or, worse, nonexistent.
Side Effects Are Slowing You Down
Sometimes the side effects of antidepressants feel just as limiting as the depression itself. If medication is leaving you foggy, restless, or emotionally flat, SPRAVATO® may be a better fit.
You Feel Stuck
Sometimes a treatment helps at first, but loses effectiveness over time. If your depression once felt manageable but has gradually returned, SPRAVATO® may help you take control again.
You’re Looking For a Non-Invasive Treatment
Alternative treatments like ketamine infusions can be effective. But they are also invasive and often not covered by insurance. SPRAVATO® is a gentle, non-invasive alternative that is covered by many insurance providers.
The Process: What to Expect During SPRAVATO® Treatment
Consultation & Evaluation
It all starts with a psychiatric evaluation. We’ll review your medical history, past treatments, current medications, and also discuss your goals. If SPRAVATO® therapy is the right fit, we’ll build a treatment plan together.
Check-In & Pre-Treatment
On the day of treatment, we’ll welcome you into our Del Mar clinic and do a quick preliminary check—things like blood pressure, mood rating scales, or other simple assessments. This ensures you’re safe and ready to begin treatment.
Administering SPRAVATO®
SPRAVATO® is self-administered with 1–3 nasal sprays, but our team guides you every step of the way to make sure the esketamine nasal spray is used safely and effectively.
Observation & Recovery
After treatment, you’ll remain in one of our comfortable rooms for about two hours. This time is yours to rest, read, or simply relax while we monitor your progress and watch for any temporary SPRAVATO® side effects.
Ongoing Support
Before you leave, we’ll check in to see how you’re feeling and talk through next steps. Most patients begin with two treatments per week for the first month, then taper to once a week as symptoms improve. Remember, your plan isn’t one-size-fits-all—we’ll adjust the schedule based on your progress.
Benefits & Common Outcomes
SPRAVATO® isn’t about masking symptoms or offering quick fixes. For many, it opens a door to possibilities they thought were out of reach. With time and the right support, patients often say they feel:
Lighter
After years of carrying depression, even small shifts can feel life-changing. Many notice the heaviness begin to ease.
Hopeful
Unlike medications that take weeks to work, SPRAVATO® for depression often brings early changes within the first few sessions.
More Energetic
Patients describe feeling motivated to do the things they used to love—work, hobbies, spending time with family and friends, and simply getting out of bed and facing the day.
A New Form of Relief
Too often, medications help in one way but take away in another. With SPRAVATO®, many patients report progress without the side effects that once held them back.
Common Misconceptions About SPRAVATO®
SPRAVATO® was FDA-approved in 2019. And since it’s a relatively new treatment, it’s natural to have questions and even some misconceptions about it. Let’s set the record straight.
SPRAVATO® Changes Your Personality
It’s actually the opposite. Many of our patients report feeling more like themselves after treatment—less heavy, more joyful, more authentically themselves.
SPRAVATO® is Addictive
Spravato is carefully regulated, FDA-approved, and only administered in a clinical setting, under our direct supervision. Patients don’t take it home, and the risk of addiction is extremely low.
SPRAVATO® “Works” Instantly
While some people notice changes quickly, SPRAVATO® doesn’t work like flipping on a switch. It works best as part of an ongoing care plan that includes support from our team. Remember, healing takes time. SPRAVATO® is just one tool among many to help you achieve sustained relief.
SPRAVATO® is the Same As Recreational Ketamine
Not at all. SPRAVATO® is a prescription-only esketamine treatment designed specifically for depression and approved by the FDA. The dose and setting are all different from recreational ketamine use. At Paxina Health, the focus is always on safety and healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a SPRAVATO® treatment session last?
Will I be able to drive home after treatment?
How often will I need treatment?
Does insurance cover SPRAVATO®?
How soon before I notice changes?
What We Treat
Treatment-Resistant Depression
Haven’t found relief with multiple medications or therapy? We offer interventional treatments like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and SPRAVATO®—breakthrough options designed specifically for treatment-resistant depression.
Major Depression With Anxious Distress
Managing depression is challenging enough. But when it’s coupled with anxiety, the two conditions often amplify each other. Our evidence-based treatments target both symptoms in ways conventional medications often can’t.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Left unmanaged, intrusive thoughts and compulsions can take over your daily life. We help you disrupt those cycles and create space for real and lasting change.
Late-Life Depression
Too often, fatigue, poor sleeping habits, and memory challenges are attributed to “just getting older.” The truth? These can be signs of late-life depression that should be taken seriously. We provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to aging adults.
Adolescent Depression
Is depression standing in the way of your child’s growth and happiness? At Paxina Health, we work with adolescents and their families to provide treatment that’s effective, compassionate, and designed specifically for young people.
Why Patients Trust
Paxina Health
Your Care Comes First
Too many interventional clinics are built around volume, not people. At Paxina, your care comes first. We never recommend treatments that aren’t right for you, and we never rush the process. Every decision, from the treatment approach to the pace of your care, comes back to one question: what is truly best for you?
You’ll Be Heard, Never Rushed
An Environment That Supports Healing
Physician-Led Treatment
Who We Are
Paxina Health was founded by psychiatrists Dr. Todd Young and Dr. Nicodemus Watts with a shared mission: to create a practice where patients are truly seen, heard, and cared for.
Here, recovery starts with compassion, grows with understanding, and evolves as your needs change.
Healing Starts Here
Wherever you are on your journey, Paxina is ready to help you heal the whole you. All you have to do is take the first step by reaching out.
