A breakthrough in mental health care is offering new hope to patients with severe depression. The ketamine therapy, a nasal spray, known as Spravato, is transforming the treatment of individuals who don’t respond to traditional medications or are at risk of suicide.
Approved in October 2020, Spravato has shown remarkable results, with four out of five psychiatrists reporting significant improvements among their patients. The nasal spray, produced by Johnson & Johnson, works rapidly to boost mood by targeting glutamate, a brain messenger untouched by traditional antidepressants.
The treatment is administered under medical supervision in clinics, with patients self-administering the spray while monitored for side effects like dizziness or dissociation. Senior psychiatrists report that many patients experience improvements within just two sessions.
However, the therapy comes at a high cost, averaging ₹80,000 per session. For Ms. K, a 27-year-old patient, the treatment proved life-changing despite costing over ₹45 lakh in 1.5 years. While intravenous alternatives exist at a lower cost, they are not widely available in private clinics.
Doctors emphasize that the spray is most effective when combined with talk therapy and oral antidepressants. Despite its price, many patients see it as a lifeline, providing rapid and lasting relief from symptoms.
Spravato is now available in over 2,800 treatment centers globally and continues to gain attention for its life-altering potential, offering new hope for those battling severe depression.
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