SPRAVATO® (Esketamine) Treatment

Spravato® Treatment for Depression in League City, TX

FDA-Approved Esketamine Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression at Family Psychiatry

Family Psychiatry in League City, TX offers SPRAVATO® (esketamine) nasal spray, an FDA-approved treatment for adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and for adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) experiencing acute suicidal ideation or behavior. SPRAVATO® is administered under close medical supervision at our certified treatment facility located at 2360 Gulf Freeway S, Suite 100B, League City, TX 77573. All Spravato treatments are evaluated and overseen by Dr. Mohammad Saeed, M.D., a triple board-certified psychiatrist with over 40 years of clinical experience in the Greater Houston area. We serve patients from League City, Clear Lake, Friendswood, Dickinson, Kemah, Galveston, Texas City, and surrounding communities.

What Is SPRAVATO®?

SPRAVATO® is a prescription nasal spray medication containing esketamine, a compound related to ketamine. It is the first FDA-approved nasal spray treatment specifically developed for treatment-resistant depression and for major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation or behavior.

Unlike traditional antidepressants that primarily affect serotonin or norepinephrine, SPRAVATO® works on the brain's glutamate system by targeting NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors involved in mood regulation and neural connectivity. This unique mechanism allows SPRAVATO® to produce antidepressant effects more rapidly than conventional medications for many patients.

SPRAVATO® was approved by the FDA in 2019 and is manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a Johnson & Johnson company. It is available only through a certified healthcare provider as part of the SPRAVATO REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program to ensure patient safety during administration.

What Conditions Does SPRAVATO® Treat?

SPRAVATO® is FDA-approved for adults with:

• Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) Depression that has not improved despite trying two or more antidepressant medications of adequate dose and duration.

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with acute suicidal thoughts or behaviors, For adults with MDD who are experiencing active suicidal thoughts or behaviors, when used in combination with an oral antidepressant.

How Does SPRAVATO® Treatment Work?

SPRAVATO® must be administered only in a certified medical office under close supervision, it cannot be taken home. At Family Psychiatry in League City, TX, our clinical team guides patients through every step of the process in a dedicated, comfortable treatment room.

The treatment schedule:

During the initial induction phase (weeks 1–4), SPRAVATO® is typically administered twice per week. During the maintenance phase (weeks 5–8), sessions are reduced to once per week. After week 8, ongoing maintenance treatment is once every one to two weeks, based on your response and your treatment plan developed by Dr. Saeed.

What happens during each session:

1. You arrive at Family Psychiatry and are checked in by our clinical team

2. Your blood pressure is measured before and after treatment

3. You self-administer the nasal spray under provider supervision

4. You rest comfortably in our SPRAVATO® treatment room for a minimum of two hours while our team monitors you for side effects including dissociation, dizziness, or sedation

5. Once cleared by clinical staff, a responsible adult must drive you home — you cannot drive or operate heavy machinery until the following day

SPRAVATO® is always used in combination with an oral antidepressant, not as a standalone treatment.

Is SPRAVATO® Safe?

Yes! SPRAVATO® is considered safe and effective when administered in a certified healthcare setting under proper medical supervision. Because of the potential for temporary dissociation and sedation, it is only available through the SPRAVATO REMS program, which requires all treatment to occur in a supervised clinical environment.

Family Psychiatry in League City, TX is a certified SPRAVATO® treatment center. Dr. Mohammad Saeed evaluates every patient prior to beginning treatment to ensure SPRAVATO® is appropriate and safe for their specific medical history and circumstances.

Possible Side Effects May Include:

• Dissociation - feeling detached, dreamlike, or "spaced out" (most common, typically resolves within 2 hours)

• Dizziness or vertigo

• Nausea

• Sedation or sleepiness

• Temporary increase in blood pressure (monitored closely during each session)

• Headache

These side effects typically occur shortly after dosing and resolve during the 2-hour monitoring period at our clinic. Because of these effects, patients must be accompanied by a responsible adult who can drive them home after each session.

SPRAVATO® may not be appropriate for individuals with:

• Uncontrolled hypertension or a history of intracerebral hemorrhage

• A history of psychosis or certain other psychiatric conditions

• Active substance use disorder

• Certain cardiovascular conditions

• Aneurysmal vascular disease

A thorough medical and psychiatric evaluation by Dr. Saeed is required before SPRAVATO® treatment begins at Family Psychiatry.

Does SPRAVATO® Work?

Yes! SPRAVATO® has demonstrated significant clinical effectiveness in treating treatment-resistant depression, particularly for patients who have not responded to multiple antidepressant medications.

What the clinical evidence shows:

• In Phase 3 clinical trials, SPRAVATO® combined with a new oral antidepressant showed statistically significant improvement in depressive symptoms compared to placebo plus antidepressant

• Many patients experience a meaningful reduction in depressive symptoms within the first 24 hours of treatment - significantly faster than traditional antidepressants, which typically take 4–6 weeks

• For patients with MDD and acute suicidal ideation, SPRAVATO® demonstrated significant reduction in suicidal thinking within 24 hours

• Clinical response rates in real-world settings are consistent with trial data, with many patients achieving sustained remission

One of SPRAVATO®'s most meaningful clinical advantages is its speed of action. For patients in acute distress or with treatment-resistant symptoms, the ability to experience relief within hours rather than weeks can be life-changing.

As with all depression treatments, individual results vary. Ongoing follow-up care and continued oral antidepressant use are essential to maintaining improvement.

Everything You Need To Know About Spravato®

What to Expect in Our SPRAVATO® Treatment Room:

During your session:

• Our clinical team will measure your blood pressure and check in on how you are feeling

• You will self-administer the SPRAVATO® nasal spray under provider guidance

• You will rest comfortably in our dedicated treatment room in a reclined chair

• Our staff monitors you continuously for the full 2-hour observation period

• Most patients experience some degree of dissociation - this is expected and temporary

After your session:

• You are cleared to leave once clinical staff confirm it is safe to do so

• Your accompanying adult will drive you home

• Do not drive, operate machinery, or make major decisions until the following day

• Most patients are able to return to normal activities the next morning

SPRAVATO® VS TMS - WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Family Psychiatry in League City, TX offers both SPRAVATO® and NeuroStar TMS Therapy for patients with treatment-resistant depression. Both are advanced, FDA-approved options — but they work differently and suit different patients.

SPRAVATO® may be a better fit if you:

• Need rapid symptom relief (Spravato can work within hours to days)

• Are experiencing active suicidal ideation alongside depression

• Are able to commit to twice-weekly in-office sessions during the initial phase

• Can arrange transportation on treatment days (driving is not permitted)

TMS therapy may be a better fit if you:

• Prefer a fully non-medication approach

• Want to avoid systemic side effects entirely

• Are able to commit to daily sessions 5 days per week for 7 weeks

• Do not have metal implants or conditions that contraindicate TMS

Some patients may be candidates for both treatments depending on their diagnosis and history. Dr. Mohammad Saeed will conduct a thorough evaluation and recommend the most appropriate option — or combination — for your individual situation.

Learn more about TMS Therapy at Family Psychiatry →

Does Insurance Cover SPRAVATO®?

Many insurance plans, including Medicare and most major commercial carriers, may cover SPRAVATO® for eligible patients with treatment-resistant depression. Coverage depends on your specific plan and whether you meet the clinical criteria — typically having tried at least two antidepressants without adequate relief.

Our team at Family Psychiatry in League City, TX will assist with insurance verification and prior authorization before you begin treatment so you have a clear picture of your coverage and out-of-pocket costs.

To verify your coverage: Call our office at 281-554-0123 or visit our insurance page. We are here to make the process as straightforward as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Ready to Find Out If Spravato® Is Right for You?

If you or a loved one are living with treatment-resistant depression and have not found relief from antidepressant medications, SPRAVATO® at Family Psychiatry in League City, TX may offer the relief you have been looking for. Dr. Mohammad Saeed and our clinical team are here to evaluate your situation, answer your questions, and guide you through every step of the treatment process.

Call us today: 281-554-0123 Request a consultation: Online Appointment Form

Important Safety Information:

SPRAVATO® is available by prescription only and must be administered in a certified healthcare setting. Patients are monitored after each treatment due to risks of sedation, dissociation, and increased blood pressure. SPRAVATO® is not appropriate for everyone.

Your provider will determine whether this treatment is suitable based on your medical history and current condition.

SPRAVATO® Is Indicated For:

• Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) in adults

• Depressive symptoms in adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) who experience acute suicidal ideation or behavior

SPRAVATO® must be administered in a certified healthcare setting under medical supervision as part of a federally required safety program.

For additional prescribing and safety information, visit:
👉 www.SPRAVATOrems.com