Mental Health and Wellness Services

Ketamine Therapy – Spravato®

At Family Psychological Services, we tackle treatment resistant depression (TRD) and anxiety with the latest medications, including Spravato® (esketamine). Learn how this FDA-approved nasal spray for depression can replace or complement oral antidepressants, so you can get the fast, effective relief you deserve.

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Our Treatment Process

Spravato® REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy)

Spravato® is a controlled substance that’s only prescribed through a restricted program called SPRAVATO® REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy). This treatment is meant to minimize serious adverse outcomes like respiratory arrest or suicidal ideation.

Family Psychological Services’ certified medical offices, under supervision of trained healthcare professionals, provide a safe, streamlined program:

1. Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation

FPSCA goes above and beyond, performing a thorough mental health assessment to confirm diagnosis and eligibility for things like ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.

2. Medication Coordination

We’re the experts in Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), and other antidepressant medications, using your medical history and the latest research to determine the safest and most effective medication combinations.

3. In-Clinic Administration

All ketamine doses are carefully measured and provided at our treatment center, as you cannot take the medication home.

4. Two-Hour Observation Period

To monitor for side effects, you’re required to stay in a calm, secure environment under clinical supervision for at least two hours following treatment.

5. Safe Transportation Required

Spravato® is known for sedative effects, so you must arrange a ride home after each session.

6. Compliance and Tracking

We maintain REMS-compliant documentation and safety protocols for every treatment session.

The Spravato® REMS system, combined with FPSCA’s safe, controlled, and carefully monitored setting, minimizes the risks and maximizes therapeutic benefits.

Get Started Today!

If you believe that Spravato® can help you manage depression and anxiety, we encourage you to reach out to us today. Our dedicated team, including our nurse practitioner, is here to provide you with the support and guidance you need to navigate a comprehensive psychiatric medication management journey effectively. Your well-being and improved quality of life are our top priorities.

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What Is Spravato®?

FDA-approved in 2019, Spravato® is an esketamine nasal spray. Esketamine is generally considered a safer and more convenient ketamine treatment, which works by stimulating your glutamatergic system — the major excitatory neurotransmitter system. It impacts a different brain pathway, providing better results for many patients treated with standard antidepressants.

For this reason, Spravato® can be used as a standalone medical treatment, or paired with oral antidepressants to treat depressive symptoms. More specifically, the spray is FDA-approved for:

Treating adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
Remedying major depressive disorder (MDD) with acute suicidal ideation

Spravato® may also be helpful for other treatments, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain, but has not been officially approved for these uses.

Why Is Spravato® Used To Treat Depression and Anxiety Disorders?

The impact Spravato® has on the glutamatergic system is noticeable, showing significant improvements for patients with these mental health conditions in both clinical trials and healthcare settings. For example:

1. Rapid Symptom Relief 2. High Remission Rates 3. Sustained Benefits 4. Spravato® for Anxiety and Suicidality

In phase 3 trials measured by the MADRS scale, receiving ketamine therapy (Spravato®) provided relief that outpaced placebos within a day, and sustained that relief through at least 28 days. It was also found that 88% of patients were either "much improved" or "very much improved" within the first 3 months.

By day 28, 52.5% of Spravato® patients achieved remission, while only 31% of those on the placebo did. Standalone treatments show similar trends, with Spravato® being 3x more effective than placebos.

Spravato® ketamine therapy works as effective long-term as it does short-term, with 21.7% of patients remaining relapse-free at 32 weeks, compared to only 14.1% on Quetiapine. Continuous treatment also reduced relapse risks by 43%.

While health care providers primarily prescribe Spravato® for severe depression, it has also been shown to be an effective way to reduce anxiety and suicidality. Ketamine infusions, which are the mechanism behind Spravato®, reduce anxiety and suicidal ideation in TRD patients by 30% and 50%, respectively.

Possible Side Effects of Ketamine Treatment (Spravato®)

Like all medications for major depression, Spravato® treatment has potential side effects you should be aware of. Your health care provider will work with you to understand the safety profile during your first treatment session, which is why you should always be forthcoming about your medical history.

Most Common Spravato® Side Effects:

Spinning sensation (dizziness)
Feeling disconnected or sleepy
Nausea or vomiting
Increased blood pressure during or after treatment
Blurred vision or sedation
Feeling anxious or confused

Serious Side Effects (Less Common):

Respiratory depression or difficulty breathing
Sudden severe headaches
High blood pressure
Chest pain or risk of heart attack
Suicidal thoughts or worsening depressive symptoms
Bladder problems, including ulcerative or interstitial cystitis

Who Should Avoid Spravato®:

Patients with aneurysmal vascular disease or arteriovenous malformation.
Patients with a personal or family history of heart failure, abnormal blood vessel connections, or abdominal aorta issues.
Patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors or with a history of drug abuse.
Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as the drug can impact the unborn baby. Spravato® is tracked via a national pregnancy registry.

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Service Areas

We proudly serve clients locally in Agoura Hills, Ventura, and the surrounding areas. In addition to our in-person services, we offer convenient telehealth and telemedicine options, ensuring you have access to the care you need, no matter where you are. Whether you are near or far, our team is ready to provide the comprehensive behavioral health services you deserve, remotely or in person.