Q. What is SPRAVATO®?

A. SPRAVATO® is an FDA-approved nasal spray. It is a prescription medicine used:

• with or without an antidepressant taken by mouth, to treat adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
• with an antidepressant taken by mouth, to treat depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal thoughts or actions.

Q. Do I need to go to a hospital?

A. SPRAVATO® is available through the SPRAVATO® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program at convenient outpatient Greenbrook Mental Wellness Centers. The medical staff at Greenbrook’s REMS-certified outpatient treatment centers are trained to prescribe and observe the patient's self-administration of SPRAVATO®. 

Q. What happens after my consultation?

A. Your Care Team will explain payment options, review standard insurance plan criteria, and coordinate with your health insurance provider to determine benefits. Next, you will meet with a Greenbrook-affiliated licensed mental health provider for an evaluation, which includes detailed questions about your history and symptoms. If the provider determines that you are a candidate for SPRAVATO® and you are ready to move forward, they will create your individualized treatment plan.

Q. What is a typical treatment plan?

A. A typical treatment plan consists of:

• Induction, Week 1-4: 2 treatments a week
• Maintenance, Week 5-8: 1 treatment a week
• Maintenance, Week 9+: 1 treatment every 1-2 weeks

Treatment plans may vary depending on clinical conditions.

Q. Do I need to be on medication?

A.  SPRAVATO® can be administered as a standalone therapy or combined with other oral antidepressant medications. Our psychiatric professionals will work with you to determine the best approach for your needs.

Q. Does my insurance cover SPRAVATO®?

A.  Many major insurance companies cover SPRAVATO® if you haven’t found adequate relief after trying two oral antidepressants. A benefit of having treatment at a Greenbrook center is that our Care Team does nearly all the work for you regarding insurance. We assist all patients with the insurance coverage and the insurance reimbursement process.