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Our experts offer a supervised treatment option for adults with depression that has not improved enough with standard care.
Not everyone’s depression responds the same way to the same treatments. For some people, standard antidepressants don’t provide enough relief. That’s where a different approach may help. Esketamine (marketed under the name Spravato) is a prescription nasal spray that works on different brain mechanisms than traditional antidepressants. It offers another avenue for people whose depression has been difficult to treat
You do not take esketamine at home. You receive each dose in a certified outpatient setting, under your care team’s supervision, with a monitored observation period afterward.
At the USC Neuromodulation Program, part of Keck Medicine of USC, our team will take the time to understand your full history and help you determine whether esketamine, or another advanced treatment, is the right next step for you.
Esketamine may be an option if your depression hasn’t improved enough after trying prior antidepressant treatments. It isn’t a first step for most patients. We may consider it when depression has been difficult to treat and you need a different approach. Because the USC Neuromodulation Program offers a full range of treatment options, our team can work with you to find the treatment that best fits your symptoms, history and goals.
You may be a candidate for esketamine if you are experiencing:
During each visit, you take the nasal spray under your care team’s supervision and will stay after for a monitoring period. Your team checks on how you’re feeling, your blood pressure and any side effects before you leave. You’ll need to make sure you have a ride home. We’ll make sure you understand what to expect after each session.
Treatment typically begins with more frequent visits, and you’ll transition to fewer visits based on how you respond. Your psychiatrist will walk you through the timing of your treatment and what to expect at each stage.
Every person’s experience with esketamine is a little different. Most people find it more manageable than they expected. Some experience dizziness, nausea, dissociation or temporary changes in perception or mood during and shortly after treatment. These side effects are typically mild and should go away during the observation period before you leave.
Our psychiatry team evaluates esketamine as part of a full depression-care plan.
You receive supervised treatment in a structured outpatient setting with close monitoring at every session.
You have quick access to evaluation and treatment.
We provide ongoing follow-up care to track your response, adjust your plan and explore next steps when needed.
As an academic program with full-service neuromodulation, we offer options and access to clinical trials when appropriate.
