Starting a new treatment for depression can bring both hope and uncertainty. If your healthcare provider has recommended Spravato, you may have questions about what happens after your first session.
Will you feel tired? How long will you stay at the clinic? Can you return to your usual activities afterward?
Knowing what to expect can help you prepare and feel more comfortable.
Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved prescription nasal spray for certain adults with depression. Unlike medications you take at home, Spravato requires administration under medical supervision at a certified healthcare setting.
Let’s explore what happens after Spravato treatment, what you may experience, and how to prepare for the rest of your day.
What Happens Immediately After Spravato Treatment?
After receiving Spravato, you remain at the treatment center for observation.
Your healthcare team monitors your condition because Spravato can temporarily affect your alertness, blood pressure, and perception.
Your Healthcare Team Monitors You for at Least Two Hours
Spravato requires at least two hours of monitoring after each treatment session.
During this period, your healthcare team may:
- Check your blood pressure.
- Monitor your breathing and alertness.
- Ask how you feel physically and emotionally.
- Watch for dizziness, nausea, or changes in perception.
- Determine when you are clinically stable and ready to leave.
Some patients may need additional observation depending on their symptoms and medical condition.
You May Experience Temporary Changes in Perception
Some people experience dissociation during Spravato treatment.
Dissociation may involve feeling disconnected from your surroundings, body, or sense of time. Other patients may notice unusual sensations or changes in how they perceive their environment.
These effects often lessen during the observation period. However, individual experiences vary.
Tell your healthcare team if you feel uncomfortable, frightened, or unusually confused.
How Might You Feel After Your First Spravato Session?
Your experience after Spravato treatment may differ from someone else’s.
Some patients feel tired or dizzy. Others notice nausea, headaches, or temporary changes in alertness.
Common Side Effects to Know About
Possible side effects include:
- Dizziness or a spinning sensation
- Sleepiness or sedation
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Changes in perception
- Temporary increases in blood pressure
Not everyone experiences these effects. Their severity and duration can also vary.
Your healthcare team will monitor you for important reactions before deciding whether you can leave.
What If You Still Feel Unwell?
Let your treatment team know if you continue to feel dizzy, confused, nauseated, or unusually sleepy.
Do not assume that every symptom is harmless simply because it started after treatment.
Spravato can cause serious reactions, including breathing problems and significant sedation. Your healthcare team should assess concerning symptoms promptly.
If you experience a medical emergency after leaving the clinic, seek emergency medical care.
Can You Drive Home After Spravato Treatment?
No. You must not drive yourself home after a Spravato session.
Spravato can affect judgment, attention, reaction time, and coordination even after the initial observation period.
You must avoid driving or operating machinery until the next day after a restful sleep.
Arrange Transportation Before Your Appointment
Plan your transportation before arriving for treatment.
Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home or use transportation that meets your treatment center’s discharge requirements.
Also, avoid scheduling activities that require full concentration or physical coordination later that day.
This preparation allows you to focus on your treatment rather than transportation concerns.
What Should You Do When You Get Home?
After your healthcare team clears you to leave, plan for a quiet remainder of the day.
Your provider may give you personalized instructions based on your response to treatment.
Give Yourself Time to Rest
You may feel tired after your appointment. Therefore, avoid planning demanding activities immediately afterward.
Consider keeping your schedule light and allowing time to recover.
Follow Your Medication Instructions
Continue your prescribed medications according to your healthcare provider’s directions.
Do not stop, restart, or change your antidepressants or other medications without medical guidance.
Tell your treatment team about all medications and substances you use, especially those that can cause sleepiness or affect breathing.
Avoid Alcohol
Avoid alcohol on treatment days and follow your provider’s instructions about other substances.
Alcohol and certain medications can increase sedation and other safety risks.
Will You Feel Better After Your First Spravato Treatment?
You may wonder whether your mood will improve immediately.
However, treatment response varies. Some patients may notice changes earlier than others, while some may not experience meaningful improvement.
One session cannot reliably predict your overall response.
Improvement May Require Ongoing Evaluation
Spravato treatment typically follows a structured schedule.
For treatment-resistant depression, the prescribing information describes an initial treatment phase followed by reassessment and possible maintenance treatment.
Your provider will evaluate your symptoms, side effects, and progress to determine whether continued treatment makes sense.
Importantly, Spravato does not guarantee relief from depression.
What If You Notice No Change?
Do not assume treatment has failed if you feel no improvement after your first session.
Instead, discuss your experience with your healthcare provider.
Your treatment team can review your response and explain what to expect from the next stage of care.
For more information about eligibility, read Who Is a Candidate for Spravato Treatment?.
Why Are Follow-Up Appointments Important?
Spravato care involves more than receiving a nasal spray.
Regular follow-up helps your healthcare provider understand how you respond to treatment.
During these visits, your provider may review:
- Changes in depression symptoms
- Side effects after previous sessions
- Sleep and daily functioning
- Current medications
- Safety concerns
- Whether the treatment plan needs adjustment
Open communication helps your provider make informed decisions.
If you are also receiving psychiatric medication management, coordinated care can help your treatment team review your overall medication plan.
Learn more about Psychiatric Medication Management and What to Expect From Your Care.
How Can You Prepare for Your Next Spravato Appointment?
Once you understand the process, preparing for future appointments may feel easier.
Keep Track of Your Experience
Consider writing down how you feel after each session.
You can note:
- Side effects and how long they last
- Changes in sleep
- Changes in mood
- Questions about your medications
- Concerns you want to discuss
These notes can support conversations with your healthcare provider.
Follow Your Treatment Center’s Instructions
Before each appointment, review the preparation instructions your treatment team provides.
For example, Spravato prescribing guidance recommends avoiding food for at least two hours and liquids for at least 30 minutes before administration because nausea and vomiting can occur.
Your provider may also give instructions about nasal medications and other treatments.
Always follow your own treatment team’s guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spravato Aftercare
How long do you stay at the clinic after Spravato?
You must remain under medical observation for at least two hours after administration. Your healthcare team may extend monitoring if necessary.
Can I go back to work after Spravato?
Plan to avoid work or activities that require full alertness, judgment, or coordination for the rest of your treatment day. Discuss your specific work responsibilities with your provider.
Can I sleep after Spravato treatment?
You may feel sleepy after treatment. Once your healthcare team clears you to leave, follow its recovery instructions and allow time for rest.
What if I experience side effects at home?
Follow the discharge instructions from your treatment center. Contact your healthcare provider about concerning or persistent symptoms. Seek emergency medical attention for severe symptoms, including breathing difficulties or difficulty waking.
Is Spravato the same as IV ketamine therapy?
No. Spravato contains esketamine and uses a nasal spray. IV ketamine involves intravenous administration of ketamine.
They have different regulatory statuses, administration methods, and treatment considerations.
Learn more in IV Ketamine vs. Spravato: Which Treatment Is Right for You?.
Taking the Next Step With Spravato Treatment
Your first Spravato appointment is one part of a larger treatment process.
Understanding the observation period, possible side effects, transportation requirements, and follow-up care can help you prepare.
Most importantly, stay in communication with your healthcare provider. Share your questions, report side effects, and discuss any changes in how you feel.
Have Questions About Spravato Treatment?
Ascend Wellness Centers serves patients in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and Rogers, Arkansas.
If you’re exploring Spravato treatment, our team can help answer your questions and discuss evaluation options.
Contact Ascend Wellness Centers
Our Locations
- Lee’s Summit, MO | Kansas City area
- Rogers, AR | Northwest Arkansas
Please contact your preferred clinic to confirm Spravato treatment availability.
Medical disclaimer: This article provides general educational information. It does not replace personalized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about your individual needs.