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Ketamine is a safe, effective anesthetic that has been in use worldwide since 1970 and has been listed on the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines list since 1985. Multiple studies and trials run at Mt. Sinai in New York, Yale and other prestigious universities and hospitals since 1990 have shown that ketamine is exceptionally effective in treating treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, anxiety, suicidal ideation, neuropathic pain and other related mood disorders. Unlike standard antidepressants like SSRIs and SNRIs which generally take 4 to 8 weeks to work (if they work at all), ketamine is fast-acting and can sometimes show immediate efficacy after a single intravenous dose. Because of its fast-acting nature, ketamine can be an extremely important tool in preventing suicide and immediately alleviating the suffering caused by major depressive disorder (MDD). More recently it has also been used to treat neuropathic pain and the symptoms of PTSD. The small doses and method of administration (intravenous infusion) used to treat depression patients differ greatly from those used in hospitals for anesthesia.
A direct referral from a psychiatrist is not required. While a referral from any mental health care provider is encouraged, a consultation with our physicians can determine if you are a good candidate for ketamine therapy.
No. Mild to moderate depression is often successfully treated by mental health professionals with antidepressant drugs and or/psychotherapy, which we encourage. The treatment of severe depression, major depressive disorder (MDD) treatment-resistant depression and other mood disorder is more difficult and requires a higher level of care, such as EXT, TMS or Ketamine therapy. Ketamine infusion therapy is for those patients with severe depression and anxiety that is considered treatment-resistant, or those with suicidal ideation.
You should not have any food within 1-2 hours of your appointment.
The infusion takes about an hour, with an additional half hour of quiet time before discharge. During the infusion, you will not feel the pain other than a small prick while starting the infusion line. You will also not fall asleep since the low dose of ketamine does not cause any loss of consciousness. Most patient experience a mild dissociation or inner reflective experience that is generally well tolerated. Within 15 minutes of ending the infusion, your thinking will be clear. There are no delayed “flashbacks.”
You will feel a bit cloudy and you might walk a bit unsteady for an hour or so. You may also find that you will be somewhat tired for several hours. Although you do not need anyone to accompany you, we recommend that a friend, relative or caretaker accompany you home, if possible. We also recommend not driving until the following day.
Discomfort, bruising, and pain at the site of injection
Inflammation of the vein used for injection, phlebitis, metabolic disturbances, and injury
Transient elevation in blood pressure
Increased anxiety
Increased psychotic symptoms
Feeling drowsy/dizzy
Dizziness/faintness
Poor coordination/unsteadiness
Blurred vision
Feeling strange or “unreal”
Abnormal sensations
Slurred speech
Headache
Dry mouth
Trouble concentrating
Numbness or tingling
Diminished mental capacity
Rapid reduction in severe depression not responsive to standard therapy
Ketamine infusion is given only as a package of 12 sessions. Come in now for a consultation with our provider.
How Often:
Initiation phase – 10 Treatment over 10 weeks
First Maintenance infusion – 1 Treatment 10~14 days after 10th infusion
Second Maintenance infusion – 1 Treatment a month after the first maintenance infusion
Continued maintenance treatments can be done monthly or as needed based on patient symptoms at price listed below
