If you've tried multiple antidepressants without lasting relief, it isn't a personal failure. Your brain may simply need a treatment that works on a different system. Spravato is an FDA-approved nasal spray that has opened a door for many people whose depression didn't respond to standard medications. Our board-certified psychiatric team offers Spravato in St. George and Cedar City, Utah.
Spravato is the brand name for esketamine, an FDA-approved nasal spray for adults with treatment-resistant depression. It is also approved for depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder who are experiencing acute suicidal ideation or behavior. Spravato is closely related to ketamine, but works on the brain's glutamate system, a different pathway than the serotonin-focused antidepressants most patients try first.
Because Spravato has full FDA approval, it is covered by most major insurance plans, including Medicare. Patients self-administer the nasal spray in our certified office under the supervision of a board-certified psychiatrist, alongside an oral antidepressant, as part of a complete plan of care.
If you have searched for Spravato Utah or Spravato near me, our team offers this treatment in Southern Utah with the clinical oversight the medication requires.
Because of its unique mechanism, Spravato is only available through a federal safety program called REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy). It exists to make sure the medication is given in the right setting, with the right monitoring, by trained providers.
Spravato can only be administered at REMS-certified facilities. Better Balance Psychiatry is certified in both St. George and Cedar City, so no home use is permitted.
After each dose, a member of our clinical team monitors your blood pressure, alertness, and comfort for at least two hours before you leave the office.
You cannot drive, operate machinery, or make important decisions until the next day. Please arrange a ride home before your appointment.
Every patient is registered in the Spravato REMS program. Our team handles enrollment and documentation, so you don't have to.
Spravato follows a clear FDA-defined protocol. Every patient begins with a full psychiatric evaluation, and dosing is adjusted based on how you respond.
A board-certified psychiatrist confirms your diagnosis, reviews the antidepressants you've tried, and determines whether Spravato is clinically appropriate.
Our team verifies your benefits and handles prior authorization before your first dose, so you know your expected cost up front.
You self-administer the nasal spray in a private, comfortable room. A clinician monitors you for at least two hours after each dose.
Dosing starts twice weekly, then steps down to weekly and every other week as you respond, with regular psychiatric check-ins.
Every patient responds differently, and your psychiatrist will adjust the plan to fit your progress. This is the general path most patients follow.
Eligibility is always confirmed during your evaluation, but these are the situations Spravato is designed for.
Because Spravato is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression, it is covered by most major insurance plans, including Medicare, when medical criteria are met. Your final out-of-pocket cost depends on your specific plan's copay, coinsurance, and deductible for specialty medications. Our billing team will walk you through the numbers before you commit.
If you are uninsured or underinsured, Johnson & Johnson (the maker of Spravato) offers a manufacturer savings program that may reduce your cost. We can help you apply.
Your treatment plan is directed by a board-certified psychiatrist, so your care is grounded in medical training, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
The region voted us Best Psychiatrist in 2023, a reflection of the trust patients and families place in our team.
Therapy, medication, and advanced treatments under one roof in St. George and Cedar City, plus telehealth across Utah.
Dr. Hendleman founded Better Balance Psychiatry to bring advanced, evidence-based care to Southern Utah. He specializes in treatment-resistant depression, trauma in uniformed service members, and advanced treatments including TMS, Spravato, and IV ketamine.
Learn MoreYes. Spravato (esketamine) is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and for depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder who have acute suicidal ideation or behavior. Because it is FDA-approved, it is covered by most major insurance plans, unlike off-label IV ketamine.
REMS stands for Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy. It is a federal safety program that requires Spravato to be given only at certified healthcare settings, with at least two hours of monitoring after each dose. Every patient is registered in the REMS program before their first dose. Better Balance Psychiatry is REMS-certified in both St. George and Cedar City.
Both are related to ketamine and work on the same glutamate system, but Spravato is an FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray that is widely covered by insurance, while IV ketamine is given as an off-label infusion and is usually self-pay. Many patients choose Spravato specifically for the insurance coverage.
Spravato is FDA-approved and covered by most major insurance plans in Utah, including Medicare, for eligible patients with treatment-resistant depression. Our team verifies your benefits and handles prior authorization before your first dose.
Better Balance Psychiatry offers Spravato at our REMS-certified offices in St. George (20 N Main St, Suite 205) and Cedar City (444 S Main St, Suite A4). Both locations are supervised by a board-certified psychiatrist.
You self-administer the nasal spray in a comfortable, private room under supervision. Afterward, we monitor you for at least two hours. Because Spravato can cause temporary dissociation or drowsiness, you cannot drive for the rest of the day and will need a ride home.
Many patients notice improvement within the first one to two weeks, faster than the four to six weeks typical of oral antidepressants. Spravato is taken alongside an oral antidepressant as part of a complete plan of care.
The most common short-term effects are dissociation (feeling briefly detached from your surroundings), dizziness, nausea, sedation, and a temporary rise in blood pressure. These are monitored during your two-hour observation and generally resolve the same day. Serious side effects are rare and part of why REMS supervision is required.
No referral is required. You can request an evaluation directly through our patient portal or by calling us. Your psychiatrist will confirm whether Spravato is clinically appropriate based on your history and previous treatments.
Spravato is administered only in certified healthcare settings under medical supervision, with monitoring after each dose. It has been studied in large clinical trials and is FDA-approved. Every patient at Better Balance Psychiatry is evaluated, monitored, and supported through the full course of treatment.
Your care stays coordinated under one roof. If another approach is a better fit, your psychiatrist can help you get there.
Schedule a confidential consultation with our psychiatric team. We will review your history, verify your insurance, and let you know whether Spravato is the right fit. No referral required.
In-person care in St. George and Cedar City · Telehealth across Utah
