SPRAVATO TREATMENT IN TENNESSEE

Contact us today to learn more about mental health therapies in Tennessee. 

What Is Spravato?

Spravato is the brand name for esketamine, a medication derived from ketamine and approved by the FDA in 2019. 

It is available in two forms:

• Spravato with an oral antidepressant. Approved for adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), meaning depression that has not responded to at least two different antidepressants. 
• Spravato as monotherapy. Approved for adults with major depressive disorder who have active suicidal ideation with intent or plan. 

Spravato is a controlled substance and is only available through a certified healthcare provider under a federally mandated safety program. It is not dispensed at a pharmacy for home use.

Is Spravato the Same as Ketamine?

Spravato and Ketamine are closely related but not identical.

Spravato is esketamine, which is one component of ketamine. Ketamine infusions are given intravenously and are not FDA-approved for depression.

Spravato is FDA-approved, administered as a nasal spray, and available only through certified providers under the REMS program.

How Spravato Works

Most antidepressants adjust chemicals like serotonin or dopamine. Spravato works on a completely different part of the brain. One that affects mood and how brain cells communicate with each other.

This is a big part of why it can help people who haven’t responded to other medications. It’s also why many people feel a difference within hours or days, rather than the weeks it typically takes for standard antidepressants to kick in.

Spravato is taken as a nasal spray and absorbs quickly into the brain. Because it acts fast and can cause temporary side effects like dizziness or dissociation, it’s always administered in a clinical setting where staff can monitor you for a period of time afterward.

How Quickly Does Spravato Work?

Some people notice improvement within hours or days of the first treatment. This is faster than most oral antidepressants, which typically take two to four weeks to produce measurable effects. Individual response varies, and it often takes several sessions before the full benefit is clear.

Who Is a Candidate for Spravato Treatment in Tennessee?

Spravato may be appropriate for adults who meet one of the following criteria:

• A diagnosis of treatment-resistant depression, defined as inadequate response to at least two oral antidepressants of adequate dose and duration
• A diagnosis of major depressive disorder with active suicidal ideation with intent or plan

A psychiatric evaluation is required before starting Spravato. During that evaluation, your provider will review your diagnosis, medication history, medical history, and any factors that may affect candidacy.

Spravato is generally not recommended for people with certain conditions, including a history of psychosis, uncontrolled hypertension, or specific cardiovascular issues. Your provider will review these considerations with you directly.

What to Expect at a Spravato Appointment

Spravato appointments follow a consistent structure required by the FDA’s safety program:

• You arrive at the clinic and your blood pressure is checked before administration
• You self-administer the nasal spray under clinical supervision
• You remain in the clinic for a mandatory two-hour observation period
• Blood pressure is monitored at regular intervals during that time
• You are assessed for dissociation, sedation, or other side effects before being cleared to leave
• You must have a responsible adult drive you home. You cannot drive yourself.

Most people find the experience manageable. Dissociation, if it occurs, typically resolves before the end of the observation period. Staff are present throughout.

The Spravato REMS Program Explained

Spravato is dispensed under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program, which is a safety framework required by the FDA for certain medications with the potential for serious risks.

Under the REMS program:

• Spravato can only be administered in a certified healthcare setting
• Patients must be monitored for at least two hours after each dose
• The medication cannot be taken home
• Healthcare providers must be certified to prescribe and administer it
• Patients must be enrolled in the program before their first dose

Time Wellness Tennessee is a certified Spravato treatment provider. All REMS requirements are handled by our clinical team.

Potential Side Effects

Spravato is generally well-tolerated, and most side effects are temporary and resolve during or shortly after the observation period. 

The most commonly reported include:

• Dissociation or perceptual disturbances
• Dizziness or sedation
• Nausea
• Increased blood pressure
• Headache
• Anxiety or restlessness during administration

More serious side effects are uncommon but possible. Your provider will review the full risk profile with you as part of the informed consent process before treatment begins.

Spravato Combined With Comprehensive Care

Spravato is a medication, not a standalone treatment program. 

At Time Wellness Tennessee, it is integrated into a broader plan of care that may include:

• Individual therapy using evidence-based modalities such as CBT or EMDR
• Psychiatric medication management
• Group therapy and skills-based programming
• Holistic therapies including yoga and mindfulness, biofeedback, and others
• Family support programming

Research supports the idea that medication and therapy together produce better and more durable outcomes than either alone. For people receiving Spravato through one of our outpatient programs, the treatment fits into a full schedule of clinical support rather than occurring in isolation.

Spravato Treatment Locations in Tennessee

Spravato in Taft, TN

Our Taft campus offers Spravato as part of its residential inpatient program. Clients receiving inpatient care who are candidates for Spravato can access it on-site, coordinated within their overall treatment plan. The residential setting means all observation requirements are met within a structured, supportive environment with clinical staff present throughout.

Spravato in Chattanooga, TN

Our Chattanooga location offers Spravato through our Partial Hospitalization Program and Intensive Outpatient Program. Clients attending our outpatient programs can receive Spravato during scheduled treatment days, with observation built into the program day. We also see clients whose primary reason for seeking care is Spravato treatment specifically.

Does Insurance Cover Spravato in Tennessee?

Many plans do, particularly for treatment-resistant depression when prior authorization criteria are met. 

Insurance coverage for Spravato varies by plan and diagnosis. Many major insurers cover Spravato for treatment-resistant depression when medical necessity criteria are met, though prior authorization is typically required. Our team verifies benefits before treatment begins so you have a clear picture of costs.

We work with:

• Aetna
• Anthem
• Beacon Health Options
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Cigna
• ComPsych
• Magellan Health
• MultiPlan
• TRICARE

Our admissions team will verify your benefits before your first appointment and walk you through what your plan covers, including any prior authorization requirements. For clients whose insurance does not cover Spravato or who are paying out of pocket, self-pay options are available.