SPRAVATO® in Boulder
Quick Answer
SPRAVATO® (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray for adults with treatment-resistant depression and for depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder who have acute suicidal thoughts or actions. At TMS Boulder it is self-administered in a private room under supervision, followed by a monitoring period of about two hours, and many insurance plans cover it when their criteria are met.
How it works
Esketamine acts on the brain's glutamate system rather than the serotonin pathways most antidepressants target. In January 2025 the FDA approved SPRAVATO® as a standalone treatment for adults with treatment-resistant depression, so it can be used with or without an oral antidepressant depending on your psychiatrist's plan.
The ride home, planned for Boulder
You cannot drive after a SPRAVATO® visit, and not until the next day. Downtown that is manageable — a friend, a bus, a short walk — and we ask you to arrange it before the first visit rather than after. Sessions are usually twice weekly during the first month and less frequent afterward.
Safety
SPRAVATO® can cause sedation, dissociation, and increases in blood pressure, and carries a boxed warning. It is available only through a restricted program (REMS) at certified treatment centers. Read the full Important Safety Information →
SPRAVATO® or TMS?
Both treat depression that has not responded to medication; one is a longer visit a couple of times a week, the other a short visit every weekday. Your psychiatrist weighs your history, your coverage, and how far you travel to reach us.
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to the nearest emergency room.