If you are considering Spravato® for depression, you may ask, "Can I take Spravato with other psychiatric medications?" Can you continue taking an antidepressant? What about medication for anxiety, sleep, or ADHD?
Certain medications can affect how your body responds to Spravato, making careful medication management important. Before beginning treatment, our team reviews your medications and supplements to determine whether changes are necessary.
At The Neuropsychiatry & TMS Group, we take an individualized approach to Spravato treatment for adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Rather than looking at one medication in isolation, we consider your complete treatment plan and how its different components work together. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn whether Spravato is right for you.
Spravato, also known as esketamine, may be used alongside an oral antidepressant. If you have treatment-resistant depression, current FDA-approved prescribing information allows Spravato to be used either alone or in conjunction with an oral antidepressant.
For depressive symptoms, if you have major depressive disorder accompanied by acute suicidal ideation or behavior, Spravato is administered in conjunction with an oral antidepressant. This means starting Spravato does not necessarily mean stopping what you currently take. Our team will evaluate your medication history, how you have responded to previous treatments, current symptoms, side effects, and other factors before recommending an appropriate treatment plan.
Some other psychiatric medications deserve additional attention when you are taking Spravato. Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including benzodiazepines and opioids, can increase sedation when taken with Spravato. This does not automatically mean you cannot receive Spravato if you take one of these medications. However, we may need to consider the combination carefully and monitor you for increased sedation.
Psychostimulants, including medications such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, present a different consideration. Taking these medications with Spravato may increase blood pressure. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) may also increase blood pressure when used with Spravato.
The important point is that medication interactions are not always as simple as “safe” or “unsafe.” We must know exactly what you take, how much you take, and when you take it.
Spravato is administered differently from medications you take at home. The nasal spray is self-administered under our supervision. Because Spravato can cause sedation, dissociation, increased blood pressure, and other effects, you are monitored for approximately two hours after receiving each dose.
Before your first treatment, provide us with a complete list of your prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements. Do not stop, reduce, or change other psychiatric medications on your own because you are preparing to take Spravato.
If another psychiatrist or healthcare professional prescribes some of your medications, communication between providers is especially valuable. Coordinated care helps us understand your complete medication regimen and make treatment decisions with the bigger picture in mind.
The goal is not simply to add another medication, but to develop a treatment strategy that reflects your history, current symptoms, previous response to treatment, and individual needs. To learn whether you can continue taking your specific psychiatric medications alongside Spravato, schedule a consultation with our team today.
If depression has not improved adequately with previous treatment, it may be time to explore whether Spravato is appropriate for you. The Neuropsychiatry & TMS Group provides Spravato and psychiatric medication management through our hometown Tampa Bay practice, with locations in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Brandon, and Palm Harbor.
During your appointment, we can review your current medications, discuss your treatment history, and determine whether Spravato may fit into your overall treatment plan for treatment-resistant depression or major depressive disorder.
Contact The Neuropsychiatry & TMS Group to request an appointment and learn if you can take Spravato with other psychiatric medications to help your symptoms.
