What to Expect
How to Prepare for Spravato Treatment
By Dr. Stacey Forbes, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Key Takeaways
- Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray given only in a certified setting under a REMS safety program.
- You cannot drive after a session, so arrange a ride home in advance.
- Don’t eat for about two hours or drink for 30 minutes before your session, and plan a calm two-hour monitoring window.
- Preparation is mostly logistics and mindset; your care team guides each step.
Spravato (esketamine) is given in a certified clinical setting with monitoring, not at home — so preparing is largely about logistics: arranging a ride, timing food and drink, and setting yourself up for a calm session. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
What Spravato is (and why it’s monitored)
Spravato is esketamine, an FDA-approved nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression. Because of its REMS safety program, it must be given and monitored in a certified healthcare setting — it can’t be dosed at home or over telehealth. That’s why preparation focuses on the in-person session.
Before your session
- Arrange a ride. You can’t drive afterward, so line up transportation home.
- Time food and drink. No food for ~2 hours and no liquids for ~30 minutes beforehand to limit nausea.
- Confirm your medications. Ask which routine medications to take or hold that morning, especially for blood pressure.
During and after
You’ll self-administer the nasal spray under supervision and then be monitored for about two hours, since blood pressure and alertness can change temporarily. Bring comfortable clothing, and plan for a calm rest of the day — no work, driving, or major decisions afterward.
How Willow & Stone supports you
Willow & Stone provides the telehealth evaluation, candidacy assessment, and integrative care surrounding Spravato and coordinates the in-person dosing logistics. Dr. Forbes helps determine whether Spravato is the right fit and prepares you for each step.
Common Questions
Can I drive after a Spravato session?
No. You can’t drive for the rest of the day after a session, so arrange a ride home in advance.
Should I eat before Spravato?
Avoid food for about two hours and liquids for about 30 minutes before your session to reduce the chance of nausea.
Can Spravato be done at home?
No. Spravato must be administered and monitored in a certified healthcare setting under its REMS safety program. Telehealth is used for evaluation and follow-up.
Sources & Further Reading
Explore Related Care
Learn how Dr. Stacey Forbes, DNP, PMHNP-BC, approaches Spravato (Esketamine) at Willow & Stone — integrative, cash-pay telehealth care. Book a consultation →
Dr. Stacey Forbes, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and founder of Willow & Stone Integrative Mental Health. Nearly two decades of clinical experience; integrative, root-cause psychiatry via telehealth. Licensed in Texas & New Mexico.
About Dr. Forbes →