About SPRAVATO® for
Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)

Indications & Patient Stories

SPRAVATO® is for use in conjunction with an oral AD for:

  • Adults with treatment-resistant depression (MDD patients who have had an inadequate response to 2 or more oral ADs)
  • Depressive symptoms in adults with MDD with acute suicidal ideation or behavior (MDSI)

Limitations of Use:

  • The effectiveness of SPRAVATO® in preventing suicide or in reducing suicidal ideation or behavior has not been demonstrated. Use of SPRAVATO® does not preclude the need for hospitalization if clinically warranted, even if patients experience improvement after an initial dose of SPRAVATO®.
  • SPRAVATO® is not approved as an anesthetic agent. The safety and effectiveness of SPRAVATO® as an anesthetic agent have not been established.

AD=antidepressant.

MDD=major depressive disorder.

nasal spray
nasal spray

The same treatment modality may not yield different results2,3*

After cycling through multiple oral ADs and months without relief, isn’t it time to rethink your patient’s treatment regimen?

Based on the STAR*D trial:

Group of people icon
  • 1 in 3 patients do not respond to oral antidepressants (ADs) alone2
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  • Patients are highly unlikely to achieve remission on the third round of oral ADs alone — the chance falls to 14%2

Currently approved ADs can take 4 to 6 weeks for patients to feel the full effects of the medication3

*Based on the STAR*D report, in which an adult outpatient sample received 1 to 4 successive acute treatment steps.

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First Line: 37%

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Second Line: 31%

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Third Line: 14%

The same treatment modality may not yield different results2,3*

After cycling through multiple oral ADs and months without relief, isn’t it time to rethink your patient’s treatment regimen?

Based on the STAR*D trial:

Group of people icon
  • 1 in 3 patients do not respond to oral antidepressants (ADs) alone2
Exclamation point icon
  • Patients are highly unlikely to achieve remission on the third round of oral ADs alone — the chance falls to 14%2

Currently approved ADs can take 4 to 6 weeks for patients to feel the full effects of the medication3

*Based on the STAR*D report, in which an adult outpatient sample received 1 to 4 successive acute treatment steps.

Person crouching down icon

First Line: 37%

Person crouching down icon

Second Line: 31%

Person crouching down icon

Third Line: 14%

Real Stories of SPRAVATO® Patients and Caregivers

Share these stories with your patients. To learn more about these patients’ experiences with SPRAVATO®, click here.

Nasal spray adult patients actor portrayal drinking coffee

“When I was truly in my throes of depression, I would start every day off at like a negative six versus a zero. After I started taking SPRAVATO®, I’m starting off the day waking up neutral, which is the best.”

Nicole P., St. Peters, Missouri

Nicole, 23,* is a real patient with treatment-resistant depression and has been compensated for her time and testimonial by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

*Testimonial filmed in 2018. Individual results may vary.

Nasal spray adult patients actor portrayals on a hike

“My son is 22* now and he’s doing so much better.”

Allison F., Pikeville, Kentucky Caregiver for son with treatment-resistant depression

Allison is a real caregiver for her adult son with treatment-resistant depression. She is an employee of Janssen Pharmaceuticals Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

*Testimonial filmed in 2021. Individual results may vary.

SPRAVATO® patient on a hike

“I am in a better place than I have been — maybe ever. I think that’s an amazing gift.”

Grace K., Colorado Springs, Colorado

Grace, 29,* is a real patient with treatment-resistant depression and has been compensated for her time and testimonial by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

*Testimonial filmed in 2018. Individual results may vary.

How SPRAVATO® Works

SPRAVATO® is different because it acts on the glutamate pathway

The primary antidepressant activity of SPRAVATO® is not believed to directly involve inhibition of serotonin or norepinephrine reuptake.

The precise mechanism of action (MOA) is unknown.4-7

SPRAVATO® is an NMDA receptor antagonist. An NMDA receptor is an ionotropic glutamate receptor.4

NMDA=N-methyl-D-aspartate.

How SPRAVATO® nasal spray works

SPRAVATO® hypothesized MOA.

  • Clinical study results suggest that glutamate transmission is abnormally regulated in multiple areas of the brain of individuals with depression8-9
  • Antagonism of the NMDA receptor and AMPA receptor activation leads to downstream release of BDNF and activation of kinases10-12
  • BDNF expression and downstream signaling are thought to enhance neurogenesis and mediation of synaptic excitability and plasticity12,13
  • It is important to note that the relationship between this pathway and the clinical effects of depression have not been established

AMPA=α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid.

BDNF=brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

How SPRAVATO® nasal spray works

References:

1.  SPRAVATO® [Prescribing Information]. Titusville, NJ: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

2. Rush AJ, Trivedi MH, Wisniewski SR, et al. Acute and longer-term outcomes in depressed outpatients requiring one of several treatment steps: a STAR*D report. Am J Psychiatry. 2006;163(11):1905-1917. doi:10.1176/ajp.2006.163.11.1905

3. Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder (revision). American Psychiatric Association. Am J Psychiatry. 2010:1-152.

4. Duman R, Aghajanian G, Sanacora G, et al. Synaptic plasticity and depression: new insights from stress and rapid-acting antidepressants. Nat Med. 2016;22(3):238-249. doi:10.1038/nm.4050

5. Duman R, Li N, Liu RJ, et al. Signaling pathways underlying the rapid antidepressant actions of ketamine. Neuropharmacology. 2012;62(1):35-41 doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.08.044

6. Sanacora G, Zarate C, Krystal J, et al. Targeting the glutamatergic system to develop novel, improved therapeutics for mood disorders. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2008;7(5):426-437. doi:10.1038/nrd2462

7. Sanacora G, Zarate C, Krystal J, et al. Neuropharmacology.  2012;62(1):63-77. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.07.036

8. Zarate C, Machado-Vieira R, Henter I, et al. Harv Rev Psychiatry.  2010;18(5):293-303. doi:10.3109/10673229.2010.511059

9. Musazzi L, Treccani G, Mallei A, et al.Biol Psychiatry. 2013;73(12):1180-1188. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.11.009

10. Serafini G, Gonda X, Rihmer Z, et al. Ann Clin Psychiatry.  2015;27:213-220.

11. Miladinovic T, Nashed MG, Singh G, et al. Biomolecules.  2015;5(4):3112-3141. doi:10.3390/biom5043112

12. Swanson CJ, Bures M, Johnson MP, et al. Nat Rev Drug Discov.  2005;4:131-144. doi:10.1038/nrd1630

13. Wang J, Jing L, Toledo-Salas JC, et al. Neurosci Bull.  2015;31(1):75-86. doi:10.1007/s12264-014-1484-6