When depression has not adequately improved with traditional antidepressants, it may be time to consider another approach.
Alevea provides Spravato® treatment for eligible adults with treatment-resistant depression in a comfortable, medically monitored setting in Tempe. Our team can evaluate whether Spravato may be appropriate, help investigate insurance requirements, and guide you through every stage of treatment.
Spravato is available only through certified treatment centers and must be administered under medical supervision.
When traditional treatments or medications fail to provide relief, Spravato may be an option. Schedule a free consult and learn more.
You are an adult experiencing major depressive disorder.
Previous antidepressant treatment has not provided adequate improvement.
Symptoms continue to affect daily life.
You can attend monitored appointments and arrange transportation home.
Eligibility requires a psychiatric evaluation and safety screening.
Spravato is the brand name for esketamine, an FDA-approved prescription nasal spray used to treat certain adults with depression.
Unlike standard antidepressants that primarily affect serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine pathways, esketamine acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist. The exact way Spravato improves depressive symptoms is not fully understood.
Spravato is self-administered as a nasal spray under the supervision of a trained healthcare professional. Because temporary sedation, dissociation, changes in blood pressure, and other side effects can occur, patients remain at the treatment center for observation after each dose.
Spravato is not taken home. Every dose is administered in a certified clinical setting.
From the first evaluation through ongoing treatment, our Tempe team helps coordinate the clinical, insurance, and scheduling steps involved in Spravato care.
Our team can investigate your Spravato benefits and prior-authorization requirements. Many insurers require documentation of inadequate response to previous antidepressant treatment.
Treatment generally begins with a more frequent induction phase and becomes less frequent over time.
Spravato treatment is typically scheduled twice per week.
Treatment is generally scheduled once per week.
Treatment may continue once weekly or every two weeks.
This is a general framework, not a guaranteed schedule. Your provider determines treatment frequency based on diagnosis, response, side effects, and other clinical considerations.
Before treatment
Your care team reviews relevant health information and measures your blood pressure.
Administration
You administer the prescribed nasal spray yourself while being supervised by a healthcare professional.
Observation
You relax in a treatment space while our team monitors you for possible side effects. Some people experience temporary changes in perception, dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, anxiety, or a sense of disconnection.
Reassessment
Spravato appointments require at least two hours of monitoring, and you may need to remain longer when additional observation is appropriate.
Transportation home
You must arrange a ride home. Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform activities requiring full alertness until the following day after a restful sleep.
Spravato can cause serious side effects and is available only through the SPRAVATO® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, or REMS, program.
Spravato may not be appropriate for people with certain vascular conditions, a history of bleeding in the brain, an allergy to esketamine or ketamine, or other medical risk factors.
Tell your provider about all medications and supplements you take, along with any history of cardiovascular disease, substance misuse, pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
Sedation or significant sleepiness
Dissociation or changes in perception
Respiratory depression
Increased blood pressure
Risk of misuse or abuse
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Spravato has not been demonstrated to prevent suicide or eliminate suicidal thoughts. For an immediate mental health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Both treatments may be considered in advanced depression care, but their medication, route, regulatory status, insurance coverage, and clinical protocols differ.
Contains esketamine
Administered as a nasal spray
FDA-approved for specific depressive-disorder indications
Available only through certified REMS treatment centers
May be covered by insurance when plan requirements are met
Requires supervised administration and post-dose monitoring
Usually contains racemic ketamine
Administered through an intravenous infusion
Not FDA-approved for psychiatric indications, although clinicians may prescribe it off-label
Does not use the Spravato REMS program
Insurance coverage is less common and varies
Requires a separate evaluation, protocol, and monitoring process
Many commercial insurance plans and government programs provide some Spravato coverage when their eligibility and prior-authorization requirements are met. Coverage, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and authorization criteria vary considerably.
Investigate your plan’s Spravato benefits
Identify documentation requirements
Coordinate prior-authorization submissions
Discuss known treatment-related costs
Explore applicable manufacturer support programs when available
At Alevea, Spravato treatment is not provided as an isolated procedure, t is integrated into a personalized psychiatric care plan. Our Tempe team combines careful eligibility screening, required medical monitoring, insurance and prior-authorization assistance, and ongoing evaluation throughout treatment. We take the time to understand your symptoms, previous treatment experiences, physical health, and goals so that your care for treatment-resistant depression feels informed, coordinated, and genuinely personal.
We consider your symptoms, diagnoses, medications, physical health, treatment history, and personal goals.
Spravato is administered in a private clinical setting with required observation and safety monitoring.
Our team can assist with benefits investigation and prior-authorization requirements.
Located in Tempe, near ASU, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, and Phoenix.
Alevea’s Tempe clinic serves adults seeking Spravato treatment from Tempe and surrounding communities, including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Ahwatukee, and other parts of the Valley.
Because Spravato requires in-person administration and monitoring, patients should consider travel time and transportation arrangements when deciding whether treatment is practical.
Schedule an evaluation with Alevea to discuss your symptoms, previous treatment, medical history, insurance considerations, and available options. If Spravato is not appropriate, our team can help you consider other possible next steps.
Spravato treatment requires a prescription, clinical eligibility, and supervised administration. Scheduling an evaluation does not guarantee that treatment will be prescribed or covered by insurance.
Where can I receive Spravato treatment in Arizona?
Alevea provides in-office Spravato treatment at our Tempe clinic for eligible adults. Spravato cannot be taken home and must be administered in a certified healthcare setting under medical supervision. Treatment begins with a psychiatric evaluation, review of previous depression treatment, medical screening, and insurance or payment review.
What is Spravato used to treat?
Spravato, also known as esketamine, is an FDA-approved prescription nasal spray used for certain adults with treatment-resistant depression. It also has an FDA-approved indication for depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder and acute suicidal ideation or behavior, used according to current prescribing requirements. A qualified provider must determine whether Spravato is clinically appropriate.
How do I know whether I may qualify for Spravato?
Eligibility depends on your diagnosis, symptoms, previous antidepressant treatment, medical history, current medications, substance-use history, safety considerations, and insurance requirements. Spravato is not appropriate for everyone. An evaluation is required to determine whether you meet clinical and regulatory criteria and whether another treatment may be more appropriate.
What happens during a Spravato appointment?
Spravato is self-administered as a nasal spray under the supervision of trained clinical staff. Patients remain at the clinic for monitoring after receiving the medication. Blood pressure, side effects, sedation, dissociation, and overall stability are assessed during the visit. Patients are monitored for at least two hours before a clinician determines whether they are ready to leave.
Can I drive after receiving Spravato?
No. Patients should not drive, operate machinery, or perform activities requiring full alertness until the day after treatment and after obtaining restful sleep. You must arrange dependable transportation home after every Spravato appointment. Rideshare use may be subject to clinic safety policies, so transportation arrangements should be confirmed before treatment.
Is Spravato the same as IV ketamine?
No. Spravato contains esketamine and is administered as an FDA-approved nasal spray in a certified treatment setting. IV ketamine uses ketamine administered intravenously and is not FDA-approved specifically for treating psychiatric conditions. The treatments differ in medication, route, regulatory status, dosing, insurance coverage, and clinical protocols.
Does insurance cover Spravato?
Many commercial insurance plans cover Spravato when the patient meets the plan’s clinical criteria, but prior authorization is commonly required. Coverage, deductibles, coinsurance, medication acquisition, and treatment charges vary by plan. Alevea can review available insurance information, but coverage and authorization are determined by the patient’s insurer and are not guaranteed.
