What is Ketamine?

• Ketamine is an anestethic medication that has been safely used in hospitals worldwide since the 1960's. 

• Ketamine has been studied and used since the early 2000's for treatment-resistant depression, and other psychiatric disorders. 

• Many trials at clinics around the world have shown good results with this treatment. 

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What is Ketamine Therapy?

• Ketamine Therapy is the use of ketamine to treat psychiatric conditions. 

• Ketamine is given in much lower doses than when it is used as an anesthetic. During ketamine therapy, these low doses of ketamine are administered very slowly by intravenous infusion. 

• This type of IV ketamine treatment does not cause general anesthesia, is considered "off-label" use, and it is not FDA-approved for psychiatric treatment. Nonetheless, numerous studies have shown significant and marked improvement of various psychiatric conditions with this type of treatment. 

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How long does Ketamine Therapy last?​

• Initial treatment begins with approximately 6 infusions over the course of several weeks. Infusions will take about an hour to complete. You will need to remain in the office for an hour after the infusion is complete. Subsequent treatment and duration will be determined on an individualized basis, based on clinical response, tolerability and patient and clinician discussion. 

• Your clinician may decide to administer as-needed medication during the infusions to help with side effects (hypertension, nausea, etc)

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What are Side Effects of Ketamine Therapy?​

• Generally, Ketamine Therapy is safe and well-tolerated. Some patients report mild side effects like headache, nausea, transient or temporay "out of body" feelings or visual disturbances, and elevations in blood pressure. 

• Most reported side effects resolve once the infusion is complete or shortly thereafter. There are no reports of severe, long-lasting side effects in most studies. 

• Ketamine can be a drug of abuse, though no reports of addiction have been seen with ketamine infusion treatment. 

• It is best to avoid food or drink 6 hours prior to infusion start time. 

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What is the Cost of Ketamine Treatment?​

• Please call or email our office about the cost of treatment.  ​

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Who Should Not Receive Ketamine Treatment?​

• Most patients do well with this treatment. However, patients with a history of psychotic illness like schizophrenia, severe and active, ongoing addiction, history of intracranial hemorrhage or known hypersensitivity to ketamine should not start treatment. 

• Also, women who are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant or breast-feeding should not start treatment. 

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After Ketamine: ​

• Patients should not drive or operate heavy machinery until the next day, after a restful sleep.

• Patients must arrange transportation to and from ketamine infusion treatment.