Spravato, also known as esketamine, is a brand-name prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It can help treat the major depressive disorder in adults with suicidal thoughts or behaviors and treatment-resistant depression in adults. This medication is typically prescribed with oral antidepressants like Zoloft or Prozac.
This article will explain what you need to know about Spravato's side effects.
What is Spravato?
Spravato is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist given as a nasal spray by a healthcare professional. The drug is closely related to ketamine, which is an anesthetic used during surgery. While Spravato and ketamine are similar, they impact the body differently.
As with any other drug, Spravato nasal spray can cause specific side effects, which we will cover in more detail below.
Common side effects of Spravato
Spravato can cause certain side effects in patients, though some are more common than others. They can also vary depending on the condition the drug is prescribed for. Most side effects are temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, in some cases, side effects can become severe, so be sure to speak with your doctor or pharmacist if you experience side effects lasting longer than that time.
Since Spravato is prescribed with oral depressants, some side effects may be due to the oral antidepressant rather than Spravato. Here are a few common side effects reported by people who’ve received Spravato:
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Nausea
- Dissociation
- Sedation
- Loss of feeling in one part of the body
Mild Spravato side effects
Mild side effects can occur with Spravato and vary depending on which condition the drug is prescribed for. Some mild side effects that have been reported include:
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Anxiety
- Lethargy
- Feeling drunk
- Nausea and vomiting
- Mild sedation
Most of the mild side effects the patients experienced were temporary, only lasting a few days. Consult your doctor if your side effects last longer than that time frame.
Severe Spravato side effects
Serious side effects from Spravato have been reported, and their symptoms include:
- Problems thinking, learning, and remembering
- Increased blood pressure
- Serious bladder problems
- Allergic reactions
- Sedation, dissociation, or suicidal thoughts
Precautions to consider when taking Spravato
Before you start Spravato treatment, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Spravato might not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. The conditions and factors worth considering include the following:
- Psychosis: Spravato has been known to cause dissociation. If you’ve had psychosis in the past, tell your doctor before starting Spravato treatment as you may have an increased risk of severe dissociative or psychotic events if you receive the drug.
- Substance misuse: Your risk of substance misuse with Spravato may be increased. Be sure to tell your doctor if you’ve misused drugs or alcohol in the past before starting Spravato.
- Liver disease: Spravato may cause an increased risk of side effects for people with liver disease, and this risk can also last for a long time after you receive Spravato. You may need to be monitored for longer than two hours after your doses if you have moderate liver disease.
- High blood pressure: Spravato is known to increase blood pressure, which can affect your heart, blood vessels, and brain. If you have high blood pressure, talk with your doctor about whether Spravato is safe.
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