Corpus Christi · Now Accepting Patients

Spravato® (Esketamine) Treatment in Corpus Christi

STMHA Corpus Christi is a certified Spravato treatment site offering FDA-approved esketamine for adults with treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation. Medicare and major insurance covered.

Schedule an Appointment How Spravato Works ↓
Patient meeting with a board-certified psychiatrist at STMHA Corpus Christi for Spravato treatment
REMS-Certified Treatment Site
FDA-Approved for TRD & MDSI
Medicare & Most Insurance Accepted
Board-Certified Psychiatrists
What Is Spravato?

Spravato® (Esketamine) for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray for adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) or major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation (MDSI). It is the first FDA-approved nasal spray in its class and one of the few treatments designed specifically for patients whose depression has not responded to standard antidepressant therapy.

STMHA Corpus Christi is a REMS-certified Spravato treatment center. Our board-certified psychiatrists work with patients to evaluate candidacy, manage treatment, and monitor progress throughout the Spravato treatment program. Spravato is administered in-office at our Corpus Christi clinic under clinical supervision, with a mandatory two-hour monitoring period after each dose as required by the FDA's Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program.

Eligibility

Who Qualifies for Spravato Treatment?

Spravato is FDA-approved for two specific indications. Your psychiatrist will review your medical history, current medications, prior treatment responses, and any contraindications before recommending Spravato.

Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)

Adults with major depressive disorder who have tried at least two antidepressants at adequate doses and duration without sufficient improvement. Spravato is used in combination with an oral antidepressant.

MDD with Acute Suicidal Ideation (MDSI)

Adults with major depressive disorder who are actively experiencing suicidal ideation with intent or plan. Spravato is used alongside standard-of-care treatment when rapid reduction of symptoms is needed.

Important: Spravato is not approved for use as a standalone treatment. It is always prescribed in combination with an oral antidepressant. Patients with a history of aneurysmal vascular disease, arteriovenous malformation, or a history of intracerebral hemorrhage are not eligible.
What to Expect at Your Appointment

What Happens During a Spravato Visit

Each Spravato visit takes about two and a half to three hours from start to finish. You will be in our Corpus Christi clinic the whole time, with a member of our team nearby. Here is what a typical appointment looks like, from the moment you arrive.

  1. You arrive and we get you settled We check your blood pressure and ask how you are feeling. We also confirm that you have someone to drive you home, since you will not be able to drive on the day of your visit. Then we get you comfortable in our treatment room before anything else happens.
  2. You use the nasal spray yourself Our nurse walks you through each step. You use the device to spray once in each nostril. The whole thing takes about five minutes. Some patients start to notice effects within 10 to 20 minutes — a floaty, dreamlike feeling is common. That is expected and means the medication is working.
  3. You rest and we keep an eye on you This is the longest part of the visit — about two hours. You can bring headphones, a blanket, or anything that helps you relax. It is normal to feel dizzy or disconnected from your surroundings for a while. That feeling passes. Our team checks on you throughout the entire rest period, so you are never alone in the room.
  4. You head home when you feel ready Once the rest period is over, we check your blood pressure one more time and make sure you feel steady on your feet. Then you leave with your driver. Most patients feel like themselves again by the next morning. You should plan to take it easy for the rest of that day.
When How Often You Come In How Long This Lasts
Starting Out Two visits per week First four weeks
Settling In Once a week Weeks five through eight
Ongoing Care Once a week or every two weeks, depending on how you respond Week nine and beyond
Side Effects and Safety

Spravato Side Effects: What to Expect

Spravato can cause temporary side effects during and shortly after each treatment session. Most side effects resolve within two hours, which is why the post-treatment monitoring period is required. Your clinical team monitors you throughout.

  • Dissociation (feeling detached from surroundings)
  • Dizziness or vertigo
  • Nausea
  • Sedation or drowsiness
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Reduced feeling or sensitivity (hypoesthesia)
  • Anxiety during the session
  • Headache
Important safety information: Because Spravato can cause sedation and dissociation, you must not drive or operate heavy machinery on the day of your treatment session. Arrange transportation in advance. Do not eat for two hours before your appointment. Avoid nasal corticosteroids or nasal decongestants within one hour of your dose.
Understanding the Difference

Spravato vs. Ketamine: What’s the Difference?

Spravato and ketamine are related but not the same. Spravato contains esketamine, one of the two mirror-image molecules that make up ketamine. Here is how they differ in practice.

Spravato® (Esketamine)
FDA-approved for TRD and MDSI
Administered as a nasal spray
Covered by Medicare Part B and many commercial plans
REMS program ensures clinical oversight and patient safety
Used alongside an oral antidepressant
IV Ketamine
Not FDA-approved for depression (off-label use)
Administered via intravenous infusion
Typically not covered by insurance
No standardized federal oversight program
Available at ketamine clinics, not psychiatric offices
Coverage and Scheduling

Is Spravato Covered by Insurance?

Yes, Spravato is covered by Medicare Part B as a physician-administered drug when given in a certified healthcare setting. Many commercial insurance plans also cover Spravato treatment with prior authorization. Our team can help verify your specific coverage before you begin treatment.

To ask about Spravato eligibility or schedule your first consultation, call our Corpus Christi clinic directly or complete our Become a Patient form online.

  • Medicare Part B
  • Tricare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • United Healthcare
Where to Get Spravato Treatment

Spravato Treatment in Corpus Christi, Texas

STMHA Corpus Christi is currently the only REMS-certified Spravato treatment site within the South Texas Mental Health Associates network. Spravato is not available at our San Antonio or Edinburg locations at this time.

STMHA Corpus Christi, Spravato Treatment Center

Our Corpus Christi psychiatric clinic is a REMS-certified Spravato treatment site. Our board-certified psychiatrists evaluate patients for TRD and MDSI candidacy, manage the full treatment program, and monitor progress at every visit.

1321 Glenoak Dr., Corpus Christi, TX 78418

(361) 356-1234
Frequently Asked Questions

Spravato Treatment: Common Questions

Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray for adults with treatment-resistant depression or major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation. It contains esketamine, a compound related to ketamine that works on NMDA receptors in the brain. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which can take weeks to build up, Spravato may begin reducing depressive symptoms within hours to days. It is administered in a certified clinical setting and always used in combination with an oral antidepressant.
Adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) who have tried at least two antidepressants at adequate doses without sufficient relief, and adults with major depressive disorder who are experiencing active suicidal ideation with intent or plan (MDSI). Your psychiatrist at STMHA Corpus Christi will review your history to determine if you are a candidate. Some medical conditions, such as a history of aneurysmal vascular disease, may disqualify a patient.
Yes. Spravato is covered by Medicare Part B as a physician-administered drug when given in a certified healthcare setting. Many commercial insurance plans, including Tricare, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Healthcare, also cover Spravato with prior authorization. Coverage varies by plan, so call our Corpus Christi clinic at (361) 356-1234 to verify your specific benefits before starting treatment.
Plan to spend about 2.5 to 3 hours at our clinic for each Spravato session. The nasal spray itself takes about 5 minutes to administer, after which you rest and are monitored by our clinical team for at least two hours. This monitoring period is required by the FDA's REMS program. You will also need a designated driver on the day of each session and should not drive for the rest of that day.
The most common side effects of Spravato are dissociation (a feeling of being detached from your surroundings), dizziness, nausea, sedation, increased blood pressure, and vertigo. These effects typically occur during or shortly after the administration and resolve within the two-hour monitoring period. Because of these effects, you cannot drive on treatment days. Your clinical team is present throughout every session to monitor your safety and comfort.
Spravato (esketamine) is FDA-approved specifically for treatment-resistant depression and MDSI, administered as a nasal spray under clinical supervision, covered by Medicare and many commercial insurance plans, and subject to the FDA's REMS safety program. IV ketamine is used off-label for depression, is not FDA-approved for that indication, is rarely covered by insurance, and is not subject to the same regulatory oversight. Spravato is prescribed and managed by our board-certified psychiatrists within a structured treatment program.
STMHA Corpus Christi at 1321 Glenoak Dr., Corpus Christi, TX 78418 is a REMS-certified Spravato treatment site serving the Corpus Christi area and surrounding Coastal Bend communities. Call us at (361) 356-1234 to schedule a Spravato eligibility consultation with one of our board-certified psychiatrists.

Ask About Spravato at STMHA Corpus Christi

If antidepressants have not given you enough relief, Spravato may be an option worth discussing. Contact our Corpus Christi clinic to schedule an eligibility consultation with one of our board-certified psychiatrists.

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