Spravato® (Esketamine)
Spravato® (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray for adults ages 18 and up with treatment-resistant depression. At Shrinkty, treatment is self-administered under direct clinical supervision — never at home — at our Murfreesboro, McMinnville, and Dickson offices in Tennessee, coordinated with the rest of your psychiatric care.
What Spravato is
Spravato® (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray for adults ages 18 and up with treatment-resistant depression. It can be used with or without an oral antidepressant, and it works differently from standard antidepressants — which is why it's an option when those medications haven't been enough.
Who it's for
Spravato is intended for adults whose depression hasn't responded adequately to standard antidepressants. If you've tried multiple antidepressants without meaningful relief, talk with your provider about whether Spravato is an appropriate next step. Because Spravato is approved only for adults, patients must be 18 or older.
How treatment works
Spravato is never taken at home. You self-administer the nasal spray at one of our offices under the direct supervision of our clinical team, then stay for a required post-dose observation period so we can monitor how you're doing before you leave. Because of its effects on the day of dosing, you'll need someone to drive you home afterward.
All of this is part of the federally required Spravato REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) safety program, which every certified Spravato treatment center follows.
A typical course of treatment
First month
Treatment sessions twice a week.
Second month
Sessions step down to once a week.
After that
You and your provider individualize the frequency based on how you're responding.
Throughout treatment, your provider continues managing the rest of your care — including any oral antidepressant and therapy — as one coordinated plan.
Wondering whether your depression counts as treatment-resistant? That's a conversation, not a checkbox — start with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and your provider will review what you've tried and what makes sense next.
Frequently asked questions
Is Spravato covered by insurance?
Many insurance plans cover Spravato for treatment-resistant depression, typically with prior authorization — approval from your insurer before treatment begins. Our team works through that process with you. Call us at 615-716-8255 to verify what your plan covers before your first session.
How long does each Spravato visit take?
Plan on about two hours. You self-administer the nasal spray at one of our offices under the supervision of our clinical team, then stay for the post-dose observation period required by the federal Spravato REMS safety program. Because of the medication's effects on the day of dosing, you'll need someone to drive you home afterward.
Who qualifies for Spravato?
Spravato is FDA-approved for adults ages 18 and up with treatment-resistant depression — generally, depression that hasn't responded adequately to standard antidepressants. Whether it's appropriate for you is determined through a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, where your provider reviews what you've tried and discusses whether Spravato makes sense as a next step.