What are the risks and potential side effects of Spravato®?

Like any medication, Spravato^® can have side effects. The most common include dissociation (feeling disconnected from yourself or your surroundings), dizziness, nausea, sleepiness, increased blood pressure, and a sense of floating or spinning. These effects usually occur shortly after treatment and tend to wear off the same day.

In more severe circumstances it can cause slowed breathing and sedation. It also carries a risk of abuse/misuse. And Spravato^® is not safe in individuals where a significant elevation in blood pressure would be dangerous, such as individuals with an aneurysm, stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and significant cardiovascular disease. It is also not approved for use during pregnancy. Additionally, like all antidepressant medications, Spravato^® has an FDA warning that antidepressant medications may increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some people 24 years of age and younger.

Because of these potential risks and side effects, Spravato^® is only available through a certified treatment center under the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. This means it must be administered in a clinical setting with medical supervision who will carefully monitor your response to ensure your safety and comfort throughout treatment.