Side Effects of Spravato 

Recently, Rochester Holistic Psychiatry was pleased to announce that we are now offering Spravato, or esketamine, to patients with treatment resistant depression. 

Like any medication, Spravato isn’t for everyone. Also, like most antidepressant medications, Spravato comes with side effects. Not all patients will experience these side effects. Some will experience one or more to a mild degree that presents no obstacles, or at least no obstacles that can’t be easily dealt with. Some patients will experience one or more side effects that are inconvenient at first but decrease with time and continued treatment. Other patients may find the side effects of Spravato unacceptable. 

Even with such an exciting development in the array of options we can use to help our patients, we have to make sure that we cover all our bases and do our due diligence in offering information to our patients and the general public. The following are side effects of Spravato. 

Elevated blood pressure is a side effect of Spravato. Patients on blood pressure medication should not take Spravato unless approved by their physician. 

Patients taking Spravato may experience vertigo for a short time after administering the drug. Any vertigo should subside quickly, and the patient will be monitored by a medical professional, but any feelings of vertigo that linger or recur should be given attention immediately. 

Nausea can be a side effect of Spravato. Patients should endeavor to be hydrated but do not drink fluids for at least 30 minutes prior to taking Spravato, and do not eat for two hours before taking Spravato. This will help ensure healthy blood sugar levels but keep stomach contents at a minimum. 

Dissociation and difficulty thinking are commonly reported side effects of Spravato. These also are expected to subside quickly under supervision. These symptoms, along with another well-known side effect of esketamine, difficulty with judgment, are a big part of what makes esketamine so dangerous as a street drug. 

Feelings of sleepiness or drunkenness are frequently reported side effects of Spravato. Sedation is a common marker of ketamine intoxication. 

Patients taking Spravato should not drive or operate heavy machinery until the next day after dosage and should sleep for several hours as well. Thus, patients will need to have transportation from the clinic arranged. We encourage all patients taking Spravato to consider the safety of their plans following treatment. It may not be a good idea to return to work, but that should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Pregnant or breastfeeding people should not take Spravato. 

Though Spravato is only taken under the supervision of a medical professional at a clinic, we want to include our general advice for patients taking antidepressant medication or any other medication prescribed by a psychiatrist. Do not stop taking your medication without notifying your prescribing doctor and/or psychiatrist. Notify them as soon as possible if you are going through side effects that are on this list or started soon after beginning your medication regimen. They may advise you to wait a little while, they may change your dosage, or they may advise you to stop taking the drug until they can reevaluate your treatment plan. 

For questions or to make an appointment, contact us on our website or call (585) 442-6960.