For many people living with depression, finding the right treatment takes time. Antidepressant medications and psychotherapy can be very effective, but some people continue to experience significant symptoms despite trying multiple treatments.
When depression hasn't responded adequately to traditional antidepressant medications, it may be considered treatment-resistant depression. For some of these patients, Spravato® (esketamine) may offer another treatment option.
Athelas Psychiatry & Wellness is preparing to offer Spravato treatment in La Porte, Indiana, with our practice expected to open in December 2026.
What Is Spravato?
Spravato is the brand name for esketamine, a prescription nasal spray used for certain adults with depression.
Unlike most traditional antidepressants, which primarily affect neurotransmitter systems such as serotonin or norepinephrine, esketamine acts primarily through the brain's glutamate system and NMDA receptors.
This different mechanism is one reason treatments involving ketamine and esketamine have received significant attention in psychiatry.
Spravato is administered in a certified healthcare setting rather than taken home. Patients self-administer the nasal spray under the supervision of a healthcare professional and remain at the treatment center for monitoring afterward.
Who May Be a Candidate for Spravato?
Spravato isn't intended to replace standard depression treatment for everyone.
A psychiatric evaluation is needed to determine whether it is appropriate for an individual patient. A clinician will consider factors such as the person's diagnosis, previous medication trials, current medications, medical history, and potential risks.
For people who have spent years trying antidepressants without getting the improvement they hoped for, simply learning that additional treatment approaches exist can be important.
What Happens During a Spravato Treatment?
Spravato treatments take place in the office.
After appropriate assessment before treatment, the patient administers Spravato nasal spray under healthcare supervision. Patients then remain in the treatment setting while the medication takes effect and while they are monitored.
Some people experience temporary effects such as dizziness, sedation, changes in perception or a sense of disconnection known as dissociation. Blood pressure and other aspects of the patient's condition are assessed as part of treatment.
Because of these potential effects, the Spravato REMS program requires patients to be monitored by healthcare professionals for at least two hours after each treatment.
Patients cannot drive themselves home following treatment and need to arrange transportation.
Is Spravato the Same as Ketamine?
Not exactly.
Although the two medications are closely related, esketamine and ketamine are not identical.
Spravato contains esketamine and is FDA-approved for specific uses in depression. Ketamine itself has been used in medicine for decades as an anesthetic. IV ketamine is also used off-label by some psychiatric practices to treat depression and certain other psychiatric conditions.
Because these treatments differ in their FDA approval, administration, dosing, cost, and insurance coverage, an individualized evaluation is important when considering which treatment may be appropriate.
Athelas Psychiatry & Wellness plans to offer both Spravato and IV ketamine therapy, allowing eligible patients to discuss these options as part of a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.
Is Spravato Covered by Insurance?
Spravato may be covered by many insurance plans when a patient meets the insurer's medical-necessity requirements.
Coverage varies by plan, and prior authorization is commonly required. This means the practice and insurer may need to review a patient's diagnosis and previous treatment history before coverage is approved.
Our goal at Athelas Psychiatry & Wellness will be to help patients understand the authorization process and their options before beginning treatment.
Spravato Treatment in La Porte, Indiana
Access to newer psychiatric treatments can sometimes require traveling to a larger city.
Athelas Psychiatry & Wellness is being developed with the goal of bringing additional mental-health treatment options to La Porte and the surrounding Northwest Indiana community.
Our practice will provide psychiatric evaluation and medication management along with advanced treatment options for appropriate patients, including Spravato and IV ketamine therapy.
Our treatment rooms are being designed specifically with patient comfort and monitoring in mind so patients can have a private, calming environment during treatment.
When Will Spravato Be Available at Athelas?
Athelas Psychiatry & Wellness is currently under construction, and we are planning to open around the beginning of December 2026.
We are not yet administering Spravato, but we are beginning to hear from people who are interested in learning about treatment and future availability.
If you've experienced depression that hasn't improved adequately with previous treatments and would like to learn whether Spravato might eventually be an option for you, you're welcome to contact us.
Call or text Athelas Psychiatry & Wellness at 219-257-0233.
We look forward to bringing additional psychiatric treatment options to La Porte and the surrounding community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spravato ketamine?
Spravato contains esketamine, which is related to ketamine but is not identical to it.
Do I take Spravato at home?
No. Spravato is administered in a REMS-certified healthcare setting under professional supervision.
How long will I be at the office?
Patients must be monitored for at least two hours following Spravato administration, so treatment appointments require more time than a typical psychiatric visit.
Can I drive home after Spravato?
No. Patients need to arrange transportation home following treatment and should follow their clinician's instructions regarding driving and other potentially hazardous activities afterward.
Does insurance cover Spravato?
Many insurance plans may provide coverage when their eligibility and prior-authorization requirements are met. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by individual plan.
When will Athelas Psychiatry & Wellness begin offering Spravato?
We are currently preparing for an anticipated opening around the beginning of December 2026. Availability will depend on completion of the necessary clinical, regulatory, and operational requirements.
