Spravato® Treatment in Florida
A breakthrough, FDA-approved nasal spray for adults with treatment-resistant depression. Experience meaningful relief when other antidepressants haven’t worked.
What Is Spravato® (Esketamine)?
If you’ve been battling depression for months or years and the medications you’ve tried just aren’t cutting it, you’re not alone. Millions of adults live with treatment-resistant depression, a form of major depressive disorder that doesn’t respond adequately to standard antidepressants.
Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved prescription nasal spray that takes a fundamentally different approach. While traditional antidepressants work on serotonin or norepinephrine, Spravato targets the brain’s glutamate system — the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation and neural connectivity.
By acting on NMDA receptors, Spravato helps the brain form new synaptic connections, essentially helping to “rewire” pathways that depression has disrupted. This unique mechanism is why many patients notice improvement far more quickly than with conventional medications.
Is Spravato Right for You?
Living with depression that doesn’t respond to medication can feel isolating and exhausting. If that sounds familiar, Spravato may offer the relief you’ve been searching for. Our psychiatric team will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if Spravato is the safest and most effective path forward for you.
You May Be a Good Candidate If You:
- Are an adult (18+) diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder
- Have tried at least two different oral antidepressants without adequate improvement
- Are experiencing depressive symptoms that significantly impact your daily life, work, or relationships
- Are looking for a faster-acting alternative to traditional medications
Spravato May Not Be Appropriate If You:
- Have a history of aneurysmal vascular disease (blood vessel abnormalities)
- Have an arteriovenous malformation
- Have a history of intracerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain)
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
What to Expect During Treatment
We understand that trying a new treatment can feel overwhelming, so we want you to know exactly what to expect. Spravato is administered in our office under the direct supervision of our trained medical staff. You will never be asked to take it at home.
| PHASE | FREQUENCY | DURATION |
|---|---|---|
| Induction (Weeks 1–4) | Twice per week | 4 weeks |
| Optimization (Weeks 5–8) | Once per week | 4 weeks |
| Maintenance (Week 9+) | Once weekly or every other week | Ongoing, as determined by your provider |
Your Treatment Session (~2 Hours)
Check-In & Preparation
Our team checks your blood pressure and reviews how you're feeling. We recommend not eating for 2 hours prior.
Self-Administration
You administer the nasal spray yourself while our clinical staff guides you. The spray takes only a few minutes.
Relaxation & Monitoring
Rest comfortably in our private treatment space for approximately two hours while we monitor your well-being.
Discharge
Once confirmed you're feeling well, you're released. A trusted person must drive you home after treatment.
Why Patients Choose Spravato
Rapid Symptom Relief
Unlike traditional antidepressants that take weeks to build up, Spravato can begin alleviating depressive symptoms in as little as 24 hours after your first treatment.
Clinically Proven Remission
In a 4-week clinical trial, 52.5% of patients receiving Spravato achieved full remission of their depression symptoms, compared to 31% in the placebo group.
Sustained Long-Term Benefits
Patients who continue with maintenance treatments are significantly less likely to experience a relapse of depressive symptoms compared to those who discontinue.
A Different Approach
Because Spravato works on the glutamate system rather than serotonin, it offers hope to patients whose brains haven't responded to SSRIs, SNRIs, or other conventional medications.
- Spravato medication covered
- In-office administration & monitoring
- Prior authorization support from our staff
- Medicare accepted
- Manufacturer savings programs available
Insurance Coverage for Spravato
One of the most common questions we hear is, “Can I afford this?” The good news is that because Spravato is FDA-approved, it is covered by most major commercial insurance plans and Medicare.
At Learning to Achieve Wellness, our team handles the insurance verification and prior authorization process on your behalf. We work directly with your insurance provider to confirm your benefits and minimize your out-of-pocket costs, so you can focus entirely on getting better.
Spravato vs. Ketamine Infusions
You may have heard about ketamine therapy for depression and wonder how it compares. While they are related, there are important differences that affect your access, cost, and treatment experience.
| FEATURE | SPRAVATO® (ESKETAMINE) | KETAMINE INFUSIONS |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Approval | Yes — specifically for TRD and MDD | No (used off-label for depression) |
| Administration | Nasal spray (self-administered in-office) | Intravenous (IV) drip |
| Insurance Coverage | Covered by most plans and Medicare | Rarely covered by insurance |
| Monitoring | 2-hour observation in certified clinic | Varies by provider |
| Active Ingredient | Esketamine (S-enantiomer of ketamine) | Racemic ketamine (both S and R forms) |
| Standardized Dosing | Yes — FDA-regulated protocols | Varies by provider |
Frequently Asked Questions
Many patients notice improvement within the first one to two weeks of treatment. Clinical data shows that most of the initial reduction in depressive symptoms occurs within the first 24 hours after treatment, with continued improvement building over the following weeks. While everyone responds differently, the rapid onset is one of Spravato’s most significant advantages over traditional antidepressants.
The most frequently reported side effects are temporary and typically resolve within two hours of treatment. They include dizziness, nausea, dissociation (a feeling of being disconnected from your surroundings), drowsiness, and a temporary increase in blood pressure. Our medical team monitors you closely throughout your session to ensure your comfort and safety.
Yes. Spravato is designed to work alongside your existing oral antidepressant. In fact, it can be taken with or without an oral antidepressant, giving your provider flexibility to tailor your treatment plan to your specific needs.
Treatment duration varies by individual. After the initial induction and optimization phases (approximately eight weeks), many patients transition to a maintenance schedule of treatments once a week or every other week. Your provider will work with you to find the right long-term plan based on your response and ongoing needs.
Spravato is a Schedule III controlled substance, which means there is some potential for misuse. However, because it is only administered in a certified medical office under direct supervision, the risk is carefully managed. You will never have access to the medication outside of your clinical appointments.
We encourage you to bring headphones and a music player, a book or tablet, and a blanket or pillow if you’d like to rest during your two-hour observation period. Wear comfortable clothing and arrange for a trusted person to drive you home afterward.
We work with most major commercial insurance plans and Medicare. Contact our office and our team will verify your benefits and handle the prior authorization process for you. We also have information on manufacturer savings programs for eligible patients who need additional cost support.
Get Started Now
Virtual and In-Person appointments.
Before and After work and school hours available.
Certified Spravato Treatment Centers
Learning to Achieve Wellness proudly offers certified Spravato therapy at our locations throughout Florida. Compassionate care is close to home.
Brandon, FL
413 W Robertson St., Suite B, Brandon, FL 33511
Brooksville, FL
16332 Cortez Blvd, Suite F, Brooksville, FL 34601
Clearwater, FL
2364 Boy Scout Road #200, Clearwater, FL 33769
Jacksonville
6817 Southpoint Pkwy Ste 402 Jacksonville, FL 32216
Lakeland, FL
1046 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL 33803
New Port Richey, FL
8300 Massachusetts Ave, New Port Richey, FL 34653
Ocala, FL
200 NE 25th Ave., Ocala, FL 34470
Port St Lucie
1801 Se Hillmoor Drive Suite C102 Port St. Lucie 34952
St. Augustine
Lewis Point Plaza, 2475 US Highway 1 S, FL 32086
Sebring
927 US 27 Sebring FL 33872
St. Cloud/Orlando, FL
4107 Neptune Rd, St. Cloud, FL 34769
St. Petersburg, FL
2191 9TH Ave. N STE. 235, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
Sun City Center, FL
1601 Rickenbacker Drive STE. 2, Sun City Center, FL 33573
Tampa, FL
12954 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618
Zephyrhills, FL
6936 Medical View Ln, Zephyrhills, FL 33542