Ketamine nasal spray: what you need to know about Spravato

Have you not found relief with antidepressants? There’s now an FDA-approved form of ketamine that can treat depression differently than all other antidepressants. It's called Spravato®, and the FDA recently made changes to Spravato® (nasal esketamine) allowing more patients to receive insurance coverage for this valuable treatment.

What is SPRAVATO®?

Spravato® is a nasal spray version of esketamine (a form of ketamine) that works on the glutamate system in the brain—different from typical serotonin-based antidepressants (like SSRIs). Many people notice faster relief than they’ve had with standard medications.

Unlike traditional antidepressants, Spravato® is a nasal spray used twice a week in your doctor's office. It's not used every day, and it's not used at home.

Spravato® can help patients start feeling better within 24 hours, which is much faster than most other antidepressants. Importantly, side effects are uncommon with Spravato®.

SPRAVATO® is available to more patients than ever before

In the summer of 2025, the FDA approved Spravato® to be used as stand-alone therapy. This was in response to a landmark study demonstrating real-world effectiveness of Spravato® as "monotherapy" in hundreds of patients. This means that patients don't need to be taking multiple other antidepressants to qualify for Spravato® by their insurance. This can help reduce the burden of extra medications on patients.

What that means for you: you no longer have to add (or keep) a daily antidepressant to be eligible for nasal ketamine (Spravato®). For many patients who couldn’t tolerate pills or didn’t respond to them, this makes treatment simpler and more accessible. The FDA label now reflects these results.

Who qualifies for SPRAVATO®?

You may be a candidate for nasal ketamine if you’re an adult with treatment-resistant depression—typically defined as inadequate response to at least two antidepressants. Consulting with Clarus Health can help determine if you are a candidate for Spravato®. Access is now easier than ever before because:

• No daily antidepressant are required throughout treatment
• Copay can be as low as $10 through Janssen’s SPRAVATO withMe program

SPRAVATO® with Clarus Health

SPRAVATO® ketamine spray is administered our clinic with one of our doctors, per the FDA's guidelines. The first step is a consultation (covered by insurance) with one of our doctors to discuss your health goals and a Spravato treatment protocol®.

Most patients receive insurance coverage for twice weekly sessions where they complete a brief assessment with the doctor and then use the ketamine nasal spray under doctor supervision. After the first month the plan is adjusted to each patient.

Treatments are administered in our private patient rooms with a personalized environment and music. Comfort is key to the healing journey with Clarus Health.

Is SPRAVATO® the same as IV ketamine?

No - IV ketamine is the most effective form of ketamine for treating depression. IV ketamine is used off-label for depression, PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain. Even though IV ketamine has been used for over 20 years, it is not covered by insurance.

Ready to explore SPRAVATO®?

If you’ve tried multiple antidepressants without relief—or you’re sensitive to side effects from pills—nasal esketamine may be a simpler, faster-acting option. Schedule a consultation with Clarus Health so we can review your history, check your coverage, and outline a clear plan tailored to you.