Spravato for treatment-resistant depression in Fairview Heights, IL
Spravato is an FDA-approved nasal spray for adults with treatment-resistant depression. Preferred Behavioral Health is a REMS-certified Spravato treatment center, and our team handles every step: the evaluation, insurance approval, supervised treatment in our office, and ongoing medication management and therapy.
A different kind of depression treatment
Most antidepressants work on serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine. Spravato works on a different brain chemical system, which is why it can help some people whose depression hasn't improved on other medications.
Spravato is approved for adults with treatment-resistant depression, either on its own or together with an oral antidepressant. It's also approved, together with an oral antidepressant, for adults with major depression who have suicidal thoughts or actions.
Spravato is never taken at home. Because of how it can affect you in the first couple of hours, it's only given in certified treatment centers like ours, where staff monitor you after each dose.
Why patients choose us for Spravato
- One team for your whole treatment. Spravato, medication management, and counseling happen in the same office, with providers who talk to each other.
- Care that continues after Spravato. You stay with the same team for follow-up instead of being sent back out.
- We handle insurance. Our staff submits the prior authorization and walks you through the costs before you start.
- A private, quiet room. You rest in a comfortable space with staff checking on you throughout.
- Close to home. We're in Fairview Heights, minutes from Belleville, O'Fallon, Swansea, Shiloh, and Collinsville.
Could Spravato be worth discussing?
Answer five questions to see whether a conversation with our team makes sense. This isn't a diagnosis, and your answers stay on your device. Nothing is sent to us.
Not sure whether you have depression? Try our free depression self-check first.
If you're having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 now, or call 911. Help is available any time.
A Spravato treatment day
Plan for about 2½ hours in our office. Here's how a typical visit goes.
- Before you comePrepareDon't eat for 2 hours or drink liquids for 30 minutes beforehand. If you use a nasal steroid or decongestant spray, take it at least 1 hour before. Line up your ride home.
- ArrivalCheck inWe check your blood pressure and how you're feeling before your dose.
- About 15 minutesTake your doseYou use the nasal spray devices yourself while a staff member watches and guides you.
- At least 2 hoursRest and monitoringYou relax in a private room. Some people feel sleepy, dizzy, or briefly disconnected. Staff check on you and your blood pressure until you're ready to go.
- Going homeYour ride takes you homeDon't drive or operate machinery until the next day after a restful night's sleep.
How often you'll come in
Spravato appointments run Monday through Thursday, with start times between 9am and 4pm. Saturday appointments are coming soon.
Paying for Spravato
Many insurance plans cover Spravato when a prior authorization is approved. Our staff checks your benefits, submits the authorization, and tells you what to expect before your first treatment.
Patients with commercial insurance may qualify for the manufacturer's SPRAVATO withMe savings program, which can lower out-of-pocket costs for the medication. Manufacturer savings programs generally don't apply to Medicare, Medicaid, or other government insurance. Eligibility rules apply.
We work with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, Humana Military / TRICARE, and UMR. Call us to confirm your plan.
Spravato FAQ
Do I have to stop my current antidepressant?
Not necessarily. For treatment-resistant depression, Spravato can be used on its own or together with an oral antidepressant. Your provider will decide what's right for you. Don't stop or change any medication on your own.
What does a treatment feel like?
Common effects include feeling disconnected from yourself or your surroundings, dizziness, nausea, sleepiness, and a spinning sensation. They usually happen soon after the dose and fade during the monitoring period. Staff stay with you throughout.
How soon might I notice a difference?
Everyone responds differently. We check in on your progress at every visit during the first two months and adjust your plan with you.
Is Spravato the same as ketamine?
Spravato contains esketamine, which is related to ketamine. It's a specific FDA-approved nasal spray for depression, given only in certified centers with required monitoring, and it's often covered by insurance.
Who shouldn't take Spravato?
People with certain blood vessel problems (such as an aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation), a history of bleeding in the brain, or an allergy to esketamine or ketamine. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, heart or brain conditions, liver problems, and some substance use histories need careful review. Our evaluation covers all of this.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can call us directly at 618-398-4226. If you have a doctor or therapist, they can also fax a referral to 618-398-1759, and we'll keep them updated on your progress.
Learn more from the manufacturer
Refer a patient for Spravato
Use the manufacturer's standard Spravato referral form or your own. Fax it with recent notes and the patient's antidepressant history.
- Complete the referral formDownload the Patient Referral for SPRAVATO Treatment form (PDF). Address it to Preferred Behavioral Health, fax 618-398-1759.
- Include what speeds approvalDiagnosis, antidepressant trials with doses and duration, current medications, insurance card front and back, and relevant medical history.
- We take it from thereWe contact the patient, complete the evaluation, and submit the prior authorization.
- You stay informedWith the patient's consent, we send treatment progress updates by the method you choose on the form: phone, fax, or email.
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
Important Safety Information
Spravato can cause serious side effects, including sleepiness (sedation), fainting, dizziness, a spinning sensation, anxiety, feeling disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, feelings, space, and time (dissociation), and breathing problems. Your healthcare provider must monitor you for at least 2 hours after each dose and will decide when you're ready to leave.
Abuse and misuse. Spravato has a risk of abuse and misuse. Your provider will check for signs before and during treatment.
Suicidal thoughts and actions. Antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some people 24 and younger, especially in the first few months or when doses change. Spravato is not for use in children. Call your provider right away about new or worsening depression, anxiety, panic attacks, agitation, irritability, trouble sleeping, aggressive or unusual behavior, or thoughts of suicide.
Do not take Spravato if you have blood vessel disease (aneurysm), an abnormal connection between veins and arteries (arteriovenous malformation), a history of bleeding in the brain, or an allergy to esketamine, ketamine, or any ingredient.
Other possible effects include increased blood pressure, problems with thinking clearly, and bladder problems. Don't drive or operate machinery until the next day after a restful sleep.
This is a summary. Please read the full Important Safety Information, the Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warnings, and the Medication Guide, and talk with your provider. To report side effects, contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
SPRAVATO is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson and its affiliated companies. Preferred Behavioral Health is an independent treatment center and is not affiliated with Johnson & Johnson.