Managing Side Effects of Spravato: A Comprehensive Guide
Spravato, a nasal spray antidepressant, has been gaining attention for its potential in treating depression. However, like other antidepressants, it comes with its own set of risks and side effects.
Firstly, Spravato carries a boxed warning about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This warning is a serious one, urging patients to be vigilant and report any signs of suicidal ideation to their healthcare providers.
Spravato is typically prescribed in combination with an oral antidepressant, such as Zoloft (sertraline) or Prozac (fluoxetine). It's important to note that some side effects may be due to the oral antidepressant rather than Spravato.
One of the most common short-term side effects of Spravato is dissociation, a feeling of disconnection from your mind, body, time, or space. This effect is usually temporary and resolves within hours post-dose. Other common side effects include dizziness, nausea, altered taste, sedation, and anxiety.
Long-term clinical trials of Spravato have shown that cognitive functioning remains stable over time, with no significant long-term cognitive decline observed up to three years of use. However, some transient impairments in attention, judgment, thinking, reaction speed, and motor skills may occur shortly after dosing but tend to resolve within hours post-dose.
Urinary symptoms are also more frequent compared to placebo during Spravato treatment, including pollakiuria (frequent urination), dysuria (painful urination), urgency, and nocturia (nighttime urination). While severe bladder issues are rare, monitoring is advised.
Spravato may not cause weight gain, a common concern with many antidepressants. However, it can cause serious side effects such as problems thinking, learning, and remembering, increased blood pressure, and serious bladder problems.
Respiratory depression, although not reported in clinical trials, has occurred since the drug was approved. This risk is another boxed warning associated with Spravato.
The risk of misuse with Spravato may be increased if you have a history of substance misuse. In rare cases, people have become so sedated that they lost consciousness.
It's important to note that Spravato is not approved to treat pain. Moreover, it's not recommended for use in children and adolescents.
Your doctor will monitor you for the symptoms of suicidal thoughts and behaviors during Spravato treatment. If you experience any symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are serious and you think you're having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
In summary, while Spravato offers a potential treatment option for depression, it's crucial to be aware of its risks and side effects. Long-term side effects primarily involve transient neurocognitive effects post-dose, stable cognition with extended use, urinary symptoms, blood pressure changes, and a low but monitored risk of misuse. Serious long-term adverse effects like permanent cognitive impairment or bladder damage have not been observed in controlled studies of up to 3 years.
- Despite its potential benefits for mental-health and health-and-wellness, Spravato carries a boxed warning for increased risks of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, urging patients to report any signs to their healthcare providers.
- Long-term use of Spravato has shown no significant long-term cognitive decline in clinical trials, but transient impairments in attention, judgment, thinking, and motor skills may occur after dosing, which are part of its side effects in the realm of science.
