Deciding to pursue a new treatment for depression involves weighing a lot of factors, and understanding potential side effects is a reasonable and important part of that process. If you are considering SPRAVATO® treatment, knowing what you might experience during and after sessions can help you go in feeling prepared rather than uncertain.
At Precise Mind, with offices in Flowood, Vicksburg, and Ridgeland, our team takes the time to make sure every patient understands the potential side effects of SPRAVATO® in Flowood and has a clear picture of what to expect before their treatment begins.
SPRAVATO® (esketamine) is an FDA-cleared nasal spray used alongside an oral antidepressant to treat treatment-resistant depression in adults. It is administered exclusively in a certified healthcare setting where you are monitored by medical staff throughout the session and for a minimum of two hours afterward.
This supervision period exists precisely because of the side effects that SPRAVATO® can produce, and it is a core part of how the treatment is delivered safely in Flowood.
SPRAVATO® carries a moderate risk of side effects, and patients should go into treatment with realistic expectations. The most frequently reported effects include:
Dissociation — a temporary feeling of detachment from your surroundings or yourself — is particularly associated with SPRAVATO® and tends to occur during or shortly after administration. This is why you are required to remain at our office under observation following each session and why arranging a ride home is mandatory.
Other side effects that some patients report include anxiety, increased blood pressure, and vertigo. Blood pressure is monitored before and after each session as a standard precaution. Most of these side effects are temporary and resolve during the post-treatment observation window, but our Flowood team is present throughout to address anything that comes up.
Before beginning SPRAVATO® treatment at our Flowood office, a thorough intake evaluation will take place. This is the right time to share your complete medical history, including any history of psychosis, substance use, or cardiovascular conditions. Certain personal or family histories may affect whether SPRAVATO® is appropriate for you, and our providers need an accurate picture to make that determination responsibly.
It is also worth noting that SPRAVATO® has the potential for misuse, which is part of why it is only available through a certified treatment program and cannot be taken home. Our team monitors each session carefully and maintains ongoing communication about how you are responding to treatment over time.
No two patients experience SPRAVATO® in exactly the same way. Some SPRAVATO® patients in Flowood find the dissociative effects disorienting at first, while others move through the observation period with minimal discomfort. Being open with our team about what you are experiencing during and after each session helps us support you more effectively and adjust your care plan if needed.
If you are weighing whether SPRAVATO® treatment is the right path forward, our providers at Precise Mind are here to help you think through it. Understanding the potential side effects of SPRAVATO® in Flowood is just one part of the conversation — we want you to have everything you need to make a decision that feels right for your behavioral health condition and your life. Reach out today to schedule an appointment at our office.