Spravato® (esketamine) is a prescription nasal spray to treat adults with major depressive disorder (MDD), including treatment-resistant depression. Unlike medications you take at home, Spravato is administered in a certified healthcare setting, where you remain under medical supervision after receiving your dose.
Knowing what to avoid after taking Spravato is an important part of planning your treatment day. Spravato can temporarily affect alertness, coordination, judgment, and perception, so you should give yourself time to recover—even if you feel fine when you leave the office. To learn whether this treatment is right for you, schedule an appointment today.
One of the most important restrictions after taking Spravato is driving. You should not drive for the remainder of the treatment day. In fact, you should wait until the next day, after a restful night’s sleep, before driving or operating machinery.
This means you will need to arrange transportation home before every appointment. A family member, friend, caregiver, or other transportation option can get you home safely while the medication’s effects wear off.
Spravato can temporarily affect attention, thinking, reaction time, judgment, and motor skills. For the rest of the day after taking Spravato, you should avoid operating machinery or participating in potentially hazardous activities that require complete mental alertness and coordination. This may also be a good day to postpone complicated tasks or important decisions if you do not feel completely clearheaded.
Instead, plan for a quiet afternoon or evening. Giving yourself time to rest can make treatment days easier to manage.
Alcohol and Spravato both affect the central nervous system. Using alcohol along with Spravato may increase sedation, and our providers may encourage you to avoid drinking alcohol before and after treatment. The same caution applies to certain medications that can cause sedation, including some benzodiazepines and opioids.
Before beginning treatment, make sure we know about all prescription medications, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and supplements you take. Do not stop or change a prescribed medication unless we tell you to.
Because Spravato can cause sedation, dissociation, changes in blood pressure, and other effects, patients must be monitored by a healthcare professional for at least two hours after administration. These side effects often influence what you should avoid during the day after taking Spravato.
We determine when you are clinically stable and ready to leave. Even if you feel well before the observation period is complete, do not assume that means you can leave early.
Some side effects of Spravato occur during or shortly after treatment. These can include dizziness, nausea, sedation, changes in perception, and temporary increases in blood pressure.
Your healthcare team monitors you after each dose for a reason. Once you are home, follow your instructions. If you develop symptoms that concern you, seem unusually severe, or do not resolve as expected, contact your healthcare provider rather than simply waiting for your next appointment.
Spravato treatment requires a little planning, but knowing what to expect can make the process much easier. Arrange your ride ahead of time, clear your schedule of activities that require full alertness, and allow yourself the rest of the day to recover.
The Neuropsychiatry & TMS Group provides Spravato treatment for adults with major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression at its Tampa Bay locations. As a local provider, our team can answer your questions about treatment, explain what to avoid after taking Spravato, and help you determine whether Spravato may be appropriate for you.
Contact The Neuropsychiatry & TMS Group to schedule an appointment and learn more about Spravato treatment.
