Living with bipolar disorder can be challenging, especially when standard medications fail to provide relief from depression symptoms. For people struggling with treatment-resistant symptoms, options like Spravato^® (esketamine) offer hope for faster improvement and better mood stability. 

Spravato^® is an FDA-approved nasal spray that works differently from traditional antidepressants and can help manage depressive episodes of bipolar disorder. 

At Bristol Health, we provide personalized care and guidance for patients considering Spravato^® therapy for bipolar depression. Our mental health providers ensure your treatments are both safe and effective.

In this article, we’ll learn how Spravato^® can help with depressive episodes of bipolar disorder and the potential benefits and risks.

How Spravato^® Works for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings, from manic highs to debilitating depressive lows. Mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants are commonly prescribed to manage these episodes. However, many patients continue to struggle with episodes of bipolar depression without relief. This is where Spravato^® offers a novel approach to treatment. 

Unlike traditional antidepressants that target mood-regulating chemicals in the brain like serotonin and norepinephrine, Spravato^® works on a different pathway. It targets the brain's glutamate system, which is essential for learning, memory, and mood regulation. 

By acting on this system, Spravato^® can help the brain form new communication pathways between nerve cells. This provides relief from severe bipolar depression symptoms, such as:

• Persistent sadness or hopelessness
• Loss of interest in daily activities
• Fatigue or low energy
• Trouble concentrating or making decisions
• Suicidal thoughts

Is Spravato^® Approved for Bipolar Depression?

Spravato^® is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). It is also increasingly being recognized as an option for the depressive phase of bipolar disorder.

Spravato^® is not yet specifically approved by the FDA for bipolar depression. However, research and real-world use have shown that it can help reduce depressive symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant bipolar depression (B-TRD). 

Many mental health providers, including Bristol Health, consider Spravato^® as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for carefully selected patients. In clinical practice, Spravato^® is typically used alongside an oral antidepressant, and this is why it is administered under careful medical supervision. This approach is often used when standard therapies have not provided sufficient relief.

Benefits & Risks of Spravato^® 

Spravato^® offers several benefits for people living with bipolar depression.

• Faster relief compared to traditional medications
• An effective option for treatment-resistant cases
• Reduced intensity of depressive episodes
• Improved day-to-day functioning and quality of life

Like any treatment, Spravato^® can cause some possible side effects, such as dizziness, nausea, and dissociation. These side effects are closely monitored during treatment. They are usually mild and typically fade within the same day.

What to Expect with Spravato^® Treatment

Unlike a traditional prescription, Spravato^® is always administered in a controlled and supportive clinical setting. 

We have designed your Spravato^® treatment experience to be as comfortable and supportive as possible. Here is what you can expect during a typical session at Bristol Health. 

• Administration: You’ll administer the nasal spray yourself while a provider guides you on the correct technique.
• Comfortable Setting: Your session takes place in a semi-private treatment space equipped with a comfortable recliner, soft lighting, and the option for soothing music. We encourage patients to use this time to rest, relax, or simply take a break from daily stress.
• Monitoring: After each dose, our team will monitor your blood pressure, comfort, and overall response for about two hours. This ensures your comfort and safety while the medication takes effect.
• After the Session: Since Spravato^® can cause temporary effects like dizziness or drowsiness, you should arrange for someone to drive you home after treatment and avoid operating any heavy machinery until the following day.

Spravato^® may be used on its own or alongside other medications and therapy, depending on your individualized treatment plan. Sessions are scheduled regularly during the initial phase and may later shift to maintenance treatments based on your progress.

Expert Spravato^® Treatment in Orem, UT

Spravato^® offers new hope for people living with bipolar depression when standard treatments have not provided enough relief. At Bristol Health, we provide supervised Spravato^® treatment in a safe, supportive setting to help you manage symptoms more effectively and improve your quality of life.

To learn more about how Spravato^® treatment can help you, call us today at (801) 903-5903 or request an appointment online. Your path to better mental health and a brighter future starts here.