Saint Francis Health System
A Healthier Tomorrow

Topics

3D rendering of esketamine molecular structure and elements on a gray background

Beyond Antidepressants: How Spravato® Is Helping Tulsa Patients Find Relief

For people who haven’t responded to antidepressant medication, Spravato® offers a new path—FDA-approved, administered in-office, and available at Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital.

By William Prueitt, MD

You’ve tried antidepressants—maybe more than one. And while you haven’t given up hope, you’re not seeing the improvement you hoped for or perhaps even used to see with antidepressants.  

There is another option. It’s called Spravato®, and it’s available here in Tulsa at Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital.

What Is Spravato®?

Spravato® is the brand name for esketamine, an FDA-approved nasal spray for adults with depression who haven’t found adequate relief from antidepressants.  

It works differently than traditional depression medications — targeting different pathways in the brain rather than the ones most antidepressants address.

That difference matters. For patients who haven’t responded to multiple medications, Spravato® offers a genuinely new approach. 

What Does a Spravato® Treatment Look Like?

Spravato® is self-administered as a nasal spray in a clinical setting, and you stay for a two-hour observation period afterward. You won’t be doing this alone — Laureate’s team is with you the whole time.

Some patients experience a temporary altered or dreamlike state during the observation window. It can feel floaty, with subtle shifts in how lights or sounds are perceived.  

For most people, the experience is neutral or even pleasant. The feeling passes, and most patients feel like themselves again before they leave.

A typical treatment schedule looks like this:

  • Two treatments per week for four weeks, followed by:
  • One treatment per week for four weeks, followed by:
  • Ongoing maintenance treatments as needed, spaced as far apart as clinically appropriate 

Who Is Spravato® For?

Spravato® may be right for you if you have moderate to severe depression and haven’t seen enough improvement after trying at least two antidepressants.  

It’s not considered a last resort — for some patients, it may be worth exploring earlier, particularly when the side effects of adding more medications outweigh the benefits.

At Laureate, every patient goes through a full evaluation before starting Spravato®. That includes a review of your history, prior treatments, and any factors — like anxiety, trauma, or sleep problems — that may be making your depression harder to treat.

What Happens After the Initial Course?

If Spravato® is working well, many patients continue with ongoing maintenance treatments — typically about every one to four weeks, but sometimes less often. The goal is always to find the schedule that keeps you feeling well while fitting into your life. 

Taking the Next Step

If your depression has been resistant to treatment, a conversation with a specialist can open doors you may not have known existed.  

Laureate’s team is experienced in exactly these situations — and Spravato® is one of several interventional options we offer. Another treatment option for medication-resistant depression is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).  

Talk to your doctor about a referral to Laureate or call us at 918-491-3700 to learn more. 

Relevant Blogs to Read

View More