Is SPRAVATO® Recommended During Pregnancy?

SPRAVATO® is not recommended during pregnancy. If you’re trying to become pregnant, your healthcare provider will advise you not to take SPRAVATO®. Anyone with the possibility of becoming pregnant should take precautions to avoid pregnancy while on a SPRAVATO® treatment plan. Should you become pregnant, let your SPRAVATO® provider know immediately.

Studies conducted on pregnant animals treated with ketamine found that the drug did cause fetal harm, which is the driving reason that SPRAVATO® should not be taken during pregnancy. Because of the danger to human fetuses, there isn’t enough data to determine the exact risks of ketamine in human pregnancy. There’s also a lack of data to understand whether ketamine is safe for breastfeeding, so SPRAVATO® is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers.

It can feel disheartening to find out that SPRAVATO® isn’t safe while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. A dissociative anesthetic, esketamine nasal spray is a major breakthrough as the first such medication to receive FDA approval for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation (MDSI). 

Are Antidepressants Safe for Pregnancy?

Some antidepressants are generally safe for pregnancy. However, doctors may hesitate to prescribe oral antidepressants to pregnant women, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are widely known to be the safer options for pregnancy. While they aren’t thought to cause birth defects, SSRIs can cause neonatal adaptation syndrome in newborn babies. 

Jitters, irritability, and respiratory distress can all be signs of this syndrome. Researchers think it may occur due to in-utero exposure to the SSRI or withdrawal from the SSRI. Despite being worrisome, this syndrome typically resolves on its own within a month. Still, some mothers may feel nervous about the risk of their baby being born with this syndrome. 

Dealing With Depression While Pregnant

Living with depression while trying to keep a fetus healthy is a challenge. The problem with avoiding antidepressants entirely during pregnancy is that mental health conditions like depression can negatively impact a fetus, too. Depression can make it difficult to attend important prenatal appointments, take the recommended vitamins, get adequate rest, and eat a nutritious diet. Severe depression can come with risks to you or your baby’s safety.

 Remember that it’s just as important to take care of you while pregnant as it is to care for your fetus. And even though SPRAVATO® is unsafe during pregnancy or breastfeeding, there is another option. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is considered safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

TMS Therapy and Pregnancy

TMS works by delivering gentle magnetic pulses to targeted areas of the brain. These magnetic fields stimulate nerve cells, which can help ease symptoms of depression. Unlike SPRAVATO®, which is taken intranasally, TMS therapy is drug-free and the magnetic fields go nowhere near the uterus. Studies have also found that TMS therapy is safe for lactating women, so you can receive treatment when breastfeeding. 

There’s a time commitment to consider when you’re planning for TMS therapy. You’ll need to come to a TMS therapy center, like Greenbrook, five times a week for six to nine weeks. Sessions typically take between 18 and 45 minutes, and there aren’t any restrictions on what you can do afterward. Plus, at Greenbrook, we offer flexible scheduling to help you fit treatments into your daily life. 

To find out more about managing depression while pregnant, schedule a no-cost consultation with Greenbrook. We’re here to help you navigate mental health no matter where you are in life.