The only FDA-approved ketamine-based depression treatment.
Spravato® (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation. Spravato at NWKC is delivered by Northwest Healing & Wellness (NWHW), our affiliated psychiatric practice, operating from the same Seattle, Bellevue, and Tacoma clinics with the same medical team.
Esketamine, in a nasal spray, taken in a clinic.
Spravato® is the brand name for esketamine, a molecule closely related to ketamine that Janssen Pharmaceuticals received FDA approval for in 2019. It is the first and only ketamine-derived medication approved for depression.
FDA-approved
Approved by the FDA for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in 2019, and for major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation in 2020.
Nasal spray
Self-administered as a nasal spray under direct supervision of trained staff. Most patients take 2–3 devices per session, spaced five minutes apart.
In-clinic only
Federal REMS regulations require Spravato to be taken in a certified clinic with 2 hours of monitored observation. It is never dispensed for home use.
What a Spravato visit looks like.
Every Spravato session with NWHW follows the same predictable rhythm, in the same NWKC clinic, with the same team you’d meet for an IV infusion. Plan on being in clinic about 2.5–3 hours per visit. Induction is twice a week for four weeks, then weekly, then every other week for maintenance.
Check-in & vitals
You arrive, settle into a private room with a recliner, and our nurse takes baseline blood pressure. Eat lightly beforehand and skip food in the 2 hours prior to dosing.
Self-administer the dose
You spray the medication into each nostril yourself, with our team watching to ensure correct technique. Most patients use 2–3 devices, five minutes apart, for a total dose of 56–84 mg.
Two-hour monitored rest
Required by FDA REMSYou stay in the clinic for at least 2 hours after the last dose. We monitor blood pressure at 40 minutes and check in throughout. Eye mask, headphones, and quiet music are provided.
Discharge with a driver
You cannot drive the day of your session. A friend, family member, or rideshare picks you up. Most patients feel back to baseline the same evening.
A clear, FDA-approved path for specific patients.
Spravato isn’t the right tool for everyone, and it isn’t the only ketamine option offered at our clinics. We’ll help you decide between Spravato (through NWHW) and IV ketamine (through NWKC) during your consultation.
Treatment-Resistant Depression
Adults with major depressive disorder who have not adequately responded to two or more antidepressants of adequate dose and duration.
MDD With Acute Suicidal Ideation
Adults with major depressive disorder experiencing acute suicidal thoughts or behavior, alongside a standard antidepressant.
Patients Seeking Insurance Coverage
Patients who want a path that may be covered by commercial insurance carriers when eligibility requirements are met.
- You’re under 18. Spravato is FDA-approved only for adults.
- You have aneurysmal vascular disease, a history of intracerebral hemorrhage, or unstable cardiovascular disease.
- You’re unable to spend two hours in clinic after each dose or arrange transportation home.
- You’re looking for the fastest response. IV ketamine often works faster for many patients.
Two paths to the same family of medicine.
Both work. The difference is regulation, route, and reimbursement, and which one is right for you depends on your diagnosis, insurance situation, and how quickly you need to feel different.
$99 per session today. In-network coming soon.
Spravato is administered through Northwest Healing & Wellness, our affiliated psychiatric practice. NWHW is currently out-of-network at $99 per session and is actively credentialing with major commercial carriers including Aetna, Cigna, Premera, and Regence.
Once in-network status is active, many patients will have Spravato covered through their plan with a standard specialist copay. We’ll re-quote your benefits as soon as your carrier becomes available.
Get a quote for your plan →Janssen's Spravato withMe program may cover the medication cost itself for eligible patients.
Currently $99 per session out-of-network. In-network pricing will typically be a specialist copay once credentialing is complete.
Standard psychiatric intake billed through NWHW. Benefits are verified before treatment begins.
Transportation is not covered. Patients must arrange a friend, family member, or rideshare because driving is not permitted after treatment.
Spravato, answered simply.
Is Spravato the same thing as ketamine?
Almost. Spravato (esketamine) is one half of the ketamine molecule, the (S)-enantiomer. It works on the same NMDA receptor system as IV ketamine and produces similar effects, but it is delivered as a nasal spray and is FDA-approved specifically for depression.
How much does Spravato cost?
The clinic visit is currently $99 per session out-of-network through Northwest Healing & Wellness (NWHW). The medication itself is often covered through Janssen's patient assistance programs. As NWHW completes insurance credentialing, many patients will transition to standard specialist copays.
What insurance covers Spravato?
NWHW is credentialing with major carriers including Aetna, Cigna, Premera Blue Cross, and Regence Blue Shield. Until contracts are finalized, treatment remains available out-of-network. Benefits are verified during your consultation.
How long does each session take?
Plan for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours in clinic. This includes check-in, vitals, administration of the nasal spray, and the FDA-required two-hour observation period afterward. You'll need transportation home after treatment.
How often will I need treatment?
Most patients begin with twice-weekly treatments for four weeks, followed by weekly sessions and eventually maintenance treatments every one to two weeks. Your psychiatrist will tailor the schedule based on your response.
Spravato or IV ketamine, which should I choose?
If you have treatment-resistant depression and want a path that may be covered by insurance, Spravato is often a strong starting point. If you're seeking a faster response, have chronic pain alongside depression, or prefer shorter visits, IV ketamine may be the better fit. Our consultation is designed to help determine which option aligns best with your goals.
Where is Spravato offered?
Spravato is provided by Northwest Healing & Wellness (NWHW) within all three Northwest Ketamine Clinics locations: Seattle, Bellevue, and Tacoma. Patients receive care in the same trusted clinic environment while treatment is managed through the psychiatric practice.
See if Spravato is right for you.
On your 30-minute consultation we’ll review your diagnosis, talk through whether Spravato or IV ketamine fits best, and check your insurance for in-network coverage.