Spravato (Esketamine) Treatment for Depression in League City, TX
If you have tried multiple antidepressants and still are not feeling better, you are not alone. Approximately 30% of people with major depressive disorder do not respond adequately to standard antidepressant medications. This is known as treatment resistant depression, and it is exactly what Spravato was designed to treat.
Family Psychiatry in League City, TX is proud to offer Spravato (esketamine) nasal spray therapy under the direct supervision of Dr. Mohammad Saeed, a triple board certified psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience serving Galveston County and the greater Houston area.
Call 281 554 0123 or request an appointment online to find out if Spravato is right for you.
What Is Spravato?
Spravato is an FDA approved nasal spray formulation of esketamine, a rapid acting antidepressant that works differently from traditional antidepressant medications. It is specifically approved for two conditions:
Treatment resistant depression (TRD) in adults who have not responded to at least two different oral antidepressants
Major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation or behavior in adults requiring rapid symptom relief
Unlike SSRIs and other conventional antidepressants which can take four to six weeks to produce noticeable effects, Spravato can begin working within hours to days of the first treatment session. For patients who have spent months or years searching for relief, this speed of response can be life changing.
How Does Spravato Work?
Traditional antidepressants primarily target serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine pathways in the brain. Spravato works through a completely different mechanism. It acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist, blocking a specific receptor involved in the brain's glutamate signaling system.
By modulating glutamate activity, Spravato promotes synaptic plasticity and helps the brain form new neural connections associated with improved mood and emotional regulation. This unique mechanism is why Spravato can be effective in patients who have not responded to multiple other treatment approaches.
What to Expect During Spravato Treatment at Family Psychiatry
Spravato is not a take home medication. It is administered in our League City clinic under the direct supervision of Dr. Saeed and our clinical team. Here is what the process looks like:
Step 1: Eligibility Evaluation Before starting Spravato, Dr. Saeed conducts a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to confirm a diagnosis of treatment resistant depression and review your full medication history, medical history, and current symptoms. Patients must have tried and not responded to at least two oral antidepressant medications to qualify.
Step 2: Administration On treatment days, you will self administer the Spravato nasal spray under the supervision of our clinical staff. The nasal spray is divided into two devices administered approximately five minutes apart.
Step 3: Monitoring After administration you will remain at our League City clinic for approximately two hours for monitoring. This is required by the FDA as part of the REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program for Spravato. During this time you may experience temporary side effects such as dizziness, nausea, or a feeling of dissociation. These effects are normal, are closely monitored by our staff, and typically resolve before you leave the clinic.
Step 4: Treatment Schedule Spravato is typically administered twice per week for the first four weeks, then once per week for weeks five through eight, and then once per week or once every two weeks for ongoing maintenance depending on your response. It is always used in combination with an oral antidepressant as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Because of the temporary effects of the medication, patients cannot drive themselves home after Spravato treatment sessions. Please arrange transportation in advance.
Who Qualifies for Spravato?
You may be a candidate for Spravato at Family Psychiatry if you:
Have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder
Have tried at least two different oral antidepressant medications at adequate doses and durations without sufficient improvement
Do not have a history of certain medical conditions or substance use disorders that would contraindicate treatment
Are able to attend in office treatment sessions and arrange transportation home afterward
Patients with a history of aneurysmal vascular disease, arteriovenous malformation, or intracerebral hemorrhage are typically not eligible. Dr. Saeed reviews each patient's full medical history before approving Spravato treatment to ensure it is safe and appropriate.
Side Effects of Spravato
Spravato is generally well tolerated when administered under proper medical supervision. The most commonly reported side effects include:
Dizziness or feeling unsteady
Nausea
Dissociation (a temporary feeling of detachment or unreality)
Sleepiness or sedation
Headache
Increased blood pressure (monitored during each session)
These effects are typically temporary and resolve within the two hour monitoring period at our clinic. Serious adverse effects are rare. Dr. Saeed and our clinical staff are present throughout every session to monitor your response and address any concerns immediately.
Does Insurance Cover Spravato?
Many major insurance plans cover Spravato therapy including Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurance plans when treatment resistant depression criteria are met. Family Psychiatry accepts most major insurance plans and our team can help verify your coverage before your first appointment.
Additionally, Janssen (the manufacturer of Spravato) offers a patient assistance program for eligible patients who need financial support. Contact our office at 281 554 0123 and we will help you understand your coverage options and any available assistance programs.
What the Research Says About Spravato
Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated that Spravato produces rapid and significant reductions in depressive symptoms in patients with treatment resistant depression. Key findings from the research include:
Patients receiving Spravato reported noticeable symptom improvement often within 24 hours of the first treatment session
Clinical trials conducted between 2020 and 2022 showed sustained improvement over time compared to placebo
Real world studies have confirmed Spravato's safety and tolerability across a broad range of patients including those with co occurring conditions and those who had previously not responded to other advanced treatments
Spravato is the only FDA approved nasal spray antidepressant and one of only a small number of treatments approved specifically for treatment resistant depression. Combined with TMS therapy, which is also available at Family Psychiatry, patients now have access to two of the most advanced depression treatments available without leaving League City.
Hear From Our Patients
Many patients who have struggled with depression for years report significant improvements in mood, energy, and quality of life after Spravato treatment at Family Psychiatry. Read testimonials from our patients here.
Trusted Resources
Start Spravato Treatment in League City, TX
Family Psychiatry is one of the few psychiatric clinics in the Galveston County and greater Houston area offering Spravato treatment. Dr. Mohammad Saeed personally oversees every treatment session, ensuring you receive expert, compassionate care from start to finish.
We are currently accepting new Spravato patients and serve residents from League City, Friendswood, Clear Lake, Dickinson, Kemah, Galveston, Texas City, Pearland, and the greater Houston area.
📞 Call 281 554 0123 🖥️ Request an Appointment Online
📍 2360 Gulf Freeway S, Suite 100B, League City, TX 77573
🕐 Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM