In crisis? Call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room.
REMS-CERTIFIED SPRAVATO® TREATMENT CENTER
SPRAVATO® treatment for adults with treatment-resistant depression in Mechanicsville, VA
If you’ve taken two or more antidepressants and still have symptoms of depression, ask whether SPRAVATO® may be an option. Old Towne Counseling is a REMS-Certified SPRAVATO® Treatment Center serving the Richmond area, and we welcome referrals from outside providers.
Prefer to text? Text us at 804-398-8401.
Referring a patient? Submit a referral online →
At a glance
✓ Nasal spray you take yourself, under supervision, in our office
✓ At least 2 hours of monitoring after each dose
✓ You’ll need a ride home on treatment days
✓ Treatment may start as soon as your second visit
REMS-Certified SPRAVATO® Treatment Center
Certified in the SPRAVATO® REMS Program to treat patients in our office.
LegitScript Certified
Old Towne Counseling complies with LegitScript’s certification standards.
Insurance help
We verify benefits and handle prior authorization paperwork.
What is SPRAVATO® used for?
SPRAVATO® (esketamine) CIII nasal spray is a prescription medicine for adults. Only a healthcare provider can decide whether it is right for you — a consultation with one of our psychiatric nurse practitioners is the first step.
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
SPRAVATO® is used with or without an antidepressant taken by mouth to treat adults with treatment-resistant depression. If you have taken 2 or more oral antidepressants and still experience symptoms of depression, you may have TRD.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal thoughts or actions
SPRAVATO® is used with an antidepressant taken by mouth to treat depressive symptoms in adults with MDD with suicidal thoughts or actions. It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe and effective for use in preventing suicide or in reducing suicidal thoughts or actions, and it is not for use in place of hospitalization if your healthcare provider determines that hospitalization is needed. If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 988 now.
It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe and effective in children. SPRAVATO® is not for use as a medicine to prevent or relieve pain (anesthetic).
How SPRAVATO® can help
In clinical studies of adults with treatment-resistant depression, SPRAVATO® was compared with a placebo (inactive) nasal spray.
✓ Improvement as early as 24 hours. People taking SPRAVATO® had greater improvement in depressive symptoms than people taking placebo, and much of that difference was seen about 24 hours after the first dose.
✓ With or without a daily antidepressant. SPRAVATO® improved depressive symptoms at 4 weeks both when taken with a new oral antidepressant and when taken on its own.
✓ Lower risk of relapse with continued treatment. In a long-term study, adults whose depression had improved and who continued SPRAVATO® with an oral antidepressant were less likely to relapse than those switched to placebo.
Results vary from person to person, and SPRAVATO® isn’t right for everyone. Your healthcare provider will decide whether it is right for you. Based on the SPRAVATO® Prescribing Information; please see Important Safety Information below.
What a treatment day looks like
Plan for about 2 to 2½ hours at our office. Many people spend the observation time relaxing, listening to music, reading, or resting.
BEFORE YOU COME
Avoid eating 2 hours before, and drinking liquids 30 minutes before, your treatment. If you use a nasal corticosteroid or decongestant, take it at least 1 hour before. Arrange a ride home.
CHECK-IN
Our team checks your blood pressure and your blood oxygen level (pulse oximetry) before your dose.
YOUR DOSE
You give yourself the nasal spray under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
AT LEAST 2 HOURS OF MONITORING
A healthcare provider monitors you for side effects and keeps checking your blood pressure and blood oxygen. You go home only after they are at acceptable levels and your provider decides you are ready to leave.
GOING HOME
A caregiver or family member drives you. Don’t drive or operate machinery until the next day after a restful sleep.
Typical schedule for treatment-resistant depression
Weeks 1–4: twice a week (8 treatments in the first month). Weeks 5–8: once a week. Week 9 and on: every 1–2 weeks. Throughout treatment, you and your healthcare provider decide whether to continue and how often.
How to get started
Reach out
Call or text us, request a consultation below, or ask your current provider to refer you.
Consultation
We receive your medical information from your usual provider and assess whether SPRAVATO® is right for you.
Coverage & enrollment
We check your insurance and enroll you in the SPRAVATO® REMS. A specialty pharmacy may call you from an unknown number — be sure to answer.
First treatment
You may start treatment as soon as your second visit.
Request a SPRAVATO® consultation
Tell us how to reach you and our SPRAVATO® coordinator will call you within one business day.
Please don’t include medical details here — we’ll go over your history by phone. If this is an emergency, call 911 or 988.
Insurance & cost
SPRAVATO® is covered by most insurance plans.* Our team checks how SPRAVATO® is covered by your plan, or whether you may be eligible for affordability support, before you start.
*TRD data only. Managed Markets Insights and Technology, LLC™, as of September 2024. May not represent 100% of formulary lives.
Insurance we accept
Coverage for SPRAVATO® varies by plan and usually requires prior authorization. We verify your benefits before your first treatment.
COMMERCIAL, MEDICARE & MILITARY
✓ Aetna
✓ Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield
✓ Anthem: Federal Employee Program
✓ Carelon Behavioral Health
✓ Cigna/Evernorth
✓ Medicare
✓ Optum
✓ Sentara Health Plans
✓ Sentara: Medicare Advantage
✓ TRICARE East: Humana Military
✓ UHC/UnitedHealthcare
✓ UMR
✓ VA Community Care Network/Optum
VIRGINIA MEDICAID (CARDINAL CARE)
✓ Virginia Medicaid (straight Medicaid)
✓ Aetna Better Health of Virginia
✓ Anthem HealthKeepers Plus
✓ Molina Complete Care
✓ Sentara Community Care
✓ UHC Community Plan
Don’t see your plan? Call or text us and we’ll check.
SPRAVATO withMe — for commercial or private insurance
Eligible patients may pay as little as $10 per treatment for SPRAVATO® medicine through the SPRAVATO withMe Savings Program, and $0 after rebate for observation of each treatment through the Observation Rebate Program. Quantity limits, annual maximums and program requirements apply; offers are subject to change or end without notice. See Spravato.com for requirements.
Learn more about SPRAVATO®
Educational materials from Johnson & Johnson.
FOR REFERRING PROVIDERS
Patient referral for SPRAVATO® treatment
Refer adult patients to our REMS-Certified SPRAVATO® Treatment Center. We complete the first consultation, benefits investigation and prior authorization, and send you consultation and treatment updates. You continue to provide care for your patient.
Prefer fax? Download the referral form (PDF) and fax it with the insurance card(s) to 804-789-8881.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take SPRAVATO® at home?
No. SPRAVATO® is only available through the SPRAVATO® REMS and can only be administered at healthcare settings certified in the program. You take it yourself under the supervision of a healthcare provider in our office.
Can I drive myself home?
No. Plan for a caregiver or family member to drive you. Don’t drive, operate machinery, or do anything where you need to be completely alert until the next day following a restful sleep.
Do I need to stop my current antidepressant?
For treatment-resistant depression, SPRAVATO® can be taken with or without an oral antidepressant. For MDD with suicidal thoughts or actions, it is used with an oral antidepressant. Your healthcare provider will decide what makes sense for you.
Do I have to be an Old Towne client?
No. Adults can contact us directly or be referred by their own provider. Your usual healthcare provider can continue to be involved with your care during treatment.
How long is each visit?
Plan for about 2 to 2½ hours, including an observation period of at least 2 hours after your dose.
Does Old Towne offer IV ketamine?
No. Old Towne offers SPRAVATO® (esketamine) nasal spray only, for its FDA-approved uses.
We’re LegitScript-certified
LegitScript certification demonstrates that Old Towne Counseling complies with LegitScript’s certification standards, including standards for transparency and compliance with applicable laws. LegitScript certification does not imply endorsement or sponsorship of products or services, and measures objective standards rather than the quality of products or services.
Important Safety Information
What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?
SPRAVATO® can cause serious side effects, including:
Sedation, dissociation, and respiratory depression. SPRAVATO® may cause sleepiness (sedation), fainting, dizziness, spinning sensation, anxiety, or feeling disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, feelings, space and time (dissociation), breathing problems (respiratory depression and respiratory arrest)
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you feel like you cannot stay awake or if you feel like you are going to pass out.
Your healthcare provider must monitor you for serious side effects for at least 2 hours after taking SPRAVATO®. Your healthcare provider will decide when you are ready to leave the healthcare setting.
Abuse and misuse. There is a risk for abuse and misuse with SPRAVATO®, which may lead to physical and psychological dependence. Your healthcare provider should check you for signs of abuse, misuse, and dependence before and during treatment.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.
Your healthcare provider can tell you more about the differences between physical and psychological dependence in drug addiction.
SPRAVATO® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). Because of the risks for sedation, dissociation, respiratory depression, and abuse and misuse, SPRAVATO® is only available through a restricted program called the SPRAVATO® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program. SPRAVATO® can only be administered at healthcare settings certified in the SPRAVATO® REMS Program. Patients treated in outpatient healthcare settings (such as medical offices and clinics) must be enrolled in the program.
Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some people 24 years of age and younger, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. SPRAVATO® is not for use in children.
Depression and other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Some people may have a higher risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions. These include people who have (or have a family history of) depression or a history of suicidal thoughts or actions.
How can I watch for and try to prevent suicidal thoughts and actions in myself or a family member?
Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings, or if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings, or if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions.
Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider as scheduled. Call your healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you have concerns about symptoms.
Tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you or your family member have any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:
thoughts about suicide or dying
suicide attempts
new or worse depression
new or worse anxiety
feeling very agitated or restless
panic attacks
trouble sleeping (insomnia)
new or worse irritability
acting aggressive, being angry or violent
acting on dangerous impulses
an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
other unusual changes in behavior or mood
Do not take SPRAVATO® if you:
have blood vessel (aneurysmal vascular) disease (including in the brain, chest, abdominal aorta, arms and legs)
have an abnormal connection between your veins and arteries (arteriovenous malformation)
have a history of bleeding in the brain
are allergic to esketamine, ketamine, or any of the other ingredients in SPRAVATO®.
If you are not sure if you have any of the above conditions, talk to your healthcare provider before taking SPRAVATO®.
Before you take SPRAVATO®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
have heart or brain problems, including: high blood pressure (hypertension); slow or fast heartbeats that cause shortness of breath, chest pain, lightheadedness, or fainting; history of heart attack; history of stroke; heart valve disease or heart failure; history of brain injury or any condition where there is increased pressure in the brain
have liver problems
have ever had a condition called “psychosis” (see, feel, or hear things that are not there, or believe in things that are not true).
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. SPRAVATO® may harm your unborn baby. You should not take SPRAVATO® if you are pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with SPRAVATO®. If you are able to become pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about methods to prevent pregnancy during treatment with SPRAVATO®. There is a pregnancy registry for women who are exposed to SPRAVATO® during pregnancy. The purpose of the registry is to collect information about the health of women exposed to SPRAVATO® and their baby. If you become pregnant during treatment with SPRAVATO®, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-844-405-6185 or online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants/.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. SPRAVATO® passes into your breast milk. You should not breastfeed during treatment with SPRAVATO®.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines that you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Taking SPRAVATO® with certain medicine may cause side effects.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take central nervous system (CNS) depressants, psychostimulants, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) medicine. Keep a list of them to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How will I take SPRAVATO®?
You will take SPRAVATO® nasal spray yourself, under the supervision of a healthcare provider in a healthcare setting. Your healthcare provider will show you how to use the SPRAVATO® nasal spray device.
Your healthcare provider will tell you how much SPRAVATO® you will take and when you will take it.
Follow your SPRAVATO® treatment schedule exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to.
During and after each use of the SPRAVATO® nasal spray device, you will be checked by a healthcare provider who will decide when you are ready to leave the healthcare setting.
You will need to plan for a caregiver or family member to drive you home after taking SPRAVATO®.
If you miss a SPRAVATO® treatment, your healthcare provider may change your dose and treatment schedule.
Some people taking SPRAVATO® get nausea and vomiting. You should not eat for at least 2 hours before taking SPRAVATO® and not drink liquids at least 30 minutes before taking SPRAVATO®.
If you take a nasal corticosteroid or nasal decongestant medicine take these medicines at least 1 hour before taking SPRAVATO®.
What should I avoid while taking SPRAVATO®?
Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything where you need to be completely alert after taking SPRAVATO®. Do not take part in these activities until the next day following a restful sleep. See “What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?”
What are the possible side effects of SPRAVATO®?
SPRAVATO® may cause serious side effects including:
See “What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?”
Increased blood pressure. SPRAVATO® can cause a temporary increase in your blood pressure that may last for about 4 hours after taking a dose. Your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure before taking SPRAVATO® and for at least 2 hours after you take SPRAVATO®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden severe headache, change in vision, or seizures after taking SPRAVATO®.
Problems with thinking clearly. Tell your healthcare provider if you have problems thinking or remembering.
Bladder problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop trouble urinating, such as a frequent or urgent need to urinate, pain when urinating, or urinating frequently at night.
The most common side effects of SPRAVATO® include:
feeling disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, feelings and things around you
dizziness
nausea
feeling sleepy
spinning sensation
decreased feeling of sensitivity (numbness)
feeling anxious
lack of energy
increased blood pressure
vomiting
feeling drunk
headache
feeling very happy or excited
If these common side effects occur, they usually happen right after taking SPRAVATO® and go away the same day.
These are not all the possible side effects of SPRAVATO®.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Johnson & Johnson at 1-800-526-7736, or to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is SPRAVATO® (esketamine) CIII nasal spray?
SPRAVATO® is a prescription medicine used:
with or without an antidepressant taken by mouth, to treat adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
with an antidepressant taken by mouth, to treat depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal thoughts or actions
SPRAVATO® is not for use as a medicine to prevent or relieve pain (anesthetic). It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe or effective as an anesthetic medicine.
It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe and effective for use in preventing suicide or in reducing suicidal thoughts or actions. SPRAVATO® is not for use in place of hospitalization if your healthcare provider determines that hospitalization is needed, even if improvement is experienced after the first dose of SPRAVATO®.
It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe and effective in children.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide for SPRAVATO® and discuss any questions you may have with your healthcare provider.
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If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to the nearest emergency room.