Written by Corina Girigan, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C — Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner specializing in depression, anxiety, addiction, and medication management at New Dawn Psychiatric Care. Read full bio →
Updated: [07/07/2026]
What Happens During Spravato Treatment?
Spravato treatment takes place in a certified medical office where you self-administer the nasal spray under clinical supervision, then remain onsite for monitoring afterward. A typical appointment includes a brief check-in, blood pressure screening, medication administration, a supervised observation period, and discharge planning once your provider confirms you are ready to leave.
You cannot drive yourself home after Spravato treatment, so transportation planning is part of the process from the beginning.
TL;DR
- Spravato treatment is given in a certified healthcare setting, not taken at home.
- You administer the nasal spray yourself while a trained provider supervises.
- Patients are monitored for at least two hours after each treatment session.
- You need someone to drive you home because Spravato can affect alertness, coordination, and reaction time.
Table of Contents
- What Should You Expect Before Your First Spravato Appointment?
- What Happens When You Arrive for Spravato Treatment?
- How Is Spravato Administered?
- What Might Spravato Feel Like During the Appointment?
- What Happens During the Monitoring Period?
- When Can You Leave After Spravato Treatment?
- What Should You Do After a Spravato Appointment?
- How Does New Dawn Psychiatric Care Support Patients During Treatment?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Should You Expect Before Your First Spravato Appointment?
Before your first Spravato appointment, your provider will complete a psychiatric and medical evaluation to confirm that treatment is appropriate for you.
This usually includes a review of your depression symptoms, medication history, medical conditions, blood pressure, current prescriptions, and prior treatment response. Spravato is used for adults with treatment-resistant depression and certain cases of major depressive disorder with acute suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Because Spravato has specific safety requirements, patients receive treatment through a certified REMS program.
Before treatment day, your provider may ask you to:
- Review your current medications.
- Arrange transportation home.
- Avoid driving or operating machinery after treatment.
- Follow any food, drink, or medication instructions given by the office.
- Plan for the appointment to take several hours.
A good first appointment starts before you arrive. The more clearly you understand the schedule and safety expectations, the less intimidating the treatment process tends to feel.
What Happens When You Arrive for Spravato Treatment?
When you arrive for Spravato treatment, the clinical team will check in with you, review how you are feeling, and confirm that it is safe to proceed that day.
Your provider may ask about recent medication changes, sleep, mood, side effects from previous sessions, substance use, and any new medical concerns. Blood pressure is checked before dosing because Spravato can temporarily increase blood pressure in some patients.
A typical appointment-day flow may look like this:
|
Appointment Step |
What Usually Happens |
|
Check-in |
The team reviews symptoms, medications, and any changes since your last visit. |
|
Pre-treatment screening |
Blood pressure and safety factors are assessed before dosing. |
|
Medication administration |
You self-administer Spravato nasal spray with provider supervision. |
|
Observation period |
You rest in the office while the team monitors your response. |
|
Discharge check |
Your provider confirms you are ready to leave with your driver. |
This structure helps keep each appointment consistent and allows your provider to track how you respond over time.
How Is Spravato Administered?
Spravato is administered as a nasal spray that the patient takes under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
The medication is not dispensed for home use. Spravato must be given in a certified treatment setting because of risks such as sedation, dissociation, respiratory depression, and misuse. The REMS program requires certified healthcare settings and pharmacies, and patients receiving outpatient treatment must be enrolled in the program.
During administration, your provider will guide you through the process and monitor how you respond. You remain awake during the appointment, but many patients feel drowsy, lightheaded, disconnected from their surroundings, or less coordinated for a period of time.
What Might Spravato Feel Like During the Appointment?
Spravato can feel different from a standard medication visit because some effects may be noticeable during the session.
Common experiences can include dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, headache, increased blood pressure, or dissociation. Dissociation may feel like being detached from your body, your surroundings, or your usual sense of time. These effects are one reason Spravato treatment includes onsite monitoring rather than at-home dosing.
Patients should tell the clinical team right away if they feel uncomfortable, overly sedated, nauseated, anxious, or disoriented. Your provider is there to monitor your physical response and help you remain safe throughout the appointment.
What Happens During the Monitoring Period?
After Spravato is administered, you stay in the office while your provider monitors your response.
Patients are monitored for at least two hours after administration. Monitoring may include blood pressure checks, respiratory status assessment, side effect review, and observation of alertness before discharge. The FDA prescribing information specifically notes post-administration observation because Spravato can cause sedation, dissociation, and respiratory depression.
During this time, many patients rest quietly, listen to calming music, or sit in a comfortable treatment space. The appointment is not designed to be rushed. The monitoring period is a core safety feature of Spravato treatment.
When Can You Leave After Spravato Treatment?
You can leave after Spravato treatment when your provider determines that you are clinically stable and ready for discharge.
The minimum monitoring period is at least two hours, but discharge timing can vary based on how you feel, your vital signs, and your provider’s assessment. You should not drive yourself home or return to activities that require full alertness for the rest of the day.
Before you leave, your provider may confirm:
- Your blood pressure is acceptable.
- You are alert enough for discharge.
- Side effects have improved enough for you to leave safely.
- Your transportation home is arranged.
- You understand post-treatment instructions.
The appointment ends when safety criteria are met, not when the clock alone says the session is over.
What Should You Do After a Spravato Appointment?
After a Spravato appointment, plan for a lower-demand day.
Because Spravato can affect coordination, alertness, and reaction time, patients should avoid driving, operating machinery, drinking alcohol, or making major decisions after treatment. Your provider will give specific instructions based on your medical history and how you respond during the session.
After treatment, it can help to:
- Go home with your arranged driver.
- Eat and hydrate as directed by your provider.
- Rest for the remainder of the day.
- Track mood changes or side effects.
- Contact the office if you have concerning symptoms.
Spravato treatment works best when the appointment is treated as a medical visit that requires planning before and after the session.
How Does New Dawn Psychiatric Care Support Patients During Treatment?
New Dawn Psychiatric Care supports patients by making Spravato treatment structured, supervised, and personalized to each patient’s clinical needs.
Our team evaluates your treatment history, explains what to expect before your first appointment, monitors your response during each session, and adjusts the care plan based on your symptoms and safety needs. For patients with treatment-resistant depression, this level of guidance can make advanced treatment feel more understandable and manageable.
If Spravato is not the right fit, New Dawn Psychiatric Care can also discuss other psychiatric treatment options, including medication management and additional evidence-based approaches for depression.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Spravato appointment take?
A Spravato appointment usually takes at least two hours because patients must be monitored after taking the medication. Some appointments may take longer depending on how you respond and when your provider determines you are ready to leave.
Can I drive after Spravato treatment?
No. Patients should not drive themselves home after Spravato treatment because the medication can affect alertness, coordination, and reaction time. You will need a trusted driver or another approved transportation plan.
Do I take Spravato at home?
No. Spravato is administered only in a certified healthcare setting under medical supervision. It is not picked up at a pharmacy and taken at home.
What should I bring to a Spravato appointment?
Bring any items your provider recommends, such as a medication list, identification, insurance information, water, headphones, or something calming to use during the observation period. You should also confirm your transportation home before the appointment.
Will I be asleep during Spravato treatment?
Most patients are awake during Spravato treatment, although drowsiness and sedation can occur. Your provider will monitor you throughout the appointment and assess whether you are ready to leave after the observation period.
About New Dawn Psychiatric Care
New Dawn Psychiatric Care provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and advanced depression treatment options for adults seeking personalized mental health care. Our team works with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and treatment-resistant depression, including those who have not found sufficient relief through traditional antidepressant medications. Through evidence-based care and individualized treatment planning, we help patients explore options such as Spravato treatment as part of a broader path toward recovery.
About the Author
Written by Corina Girigan, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C- is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at New Dawn Psychiatric Care. She specializes in the evaluation and treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and treatment-resistant mental health conditions. Through a combination of psychiatric assessment, medication management, and advanced treatment options, Corina Girigan helps patients develop treatment plans tailored to their unique symptoms, goals, and life circumstances.
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