Common Queries

Is Ketamine Infusion Therapy FDA Approved?

Ketamine can be legally prescribed and administered by licensed physicians, the drug has been officially approved by the FDA as an aesthetic, but not as a treatment for depression. Ketamine’s use for depression and neuropathic pain treatment follows all required rules and regulations, and has safely and effectively been prescribed as a fast-acting depression and pain treatment for almost two decades in private medical practices and some hospitals

Do I need a referral from a psychiatrist?

While we encourage a referral from any mental health care provider, a direct referral from a psychiatrist is not required. We will conduct an initial phone consultation with one of our Providers to determine if you are a good candidate for ketamine therapy. We provide this initial consultation free of charge.

Is Ketamine Treatment suitable for any depression patient?

Ketamine infusion therapy is reserved for those patients with severe depression and anxiety that is considered treatment-resistant, or those with suicidal ideation. 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 disorders is more difficult and requires a higher level of care, such as ketamine therapy.

How likely is it that it will work for my severe depression?

Clinicians across the country have reported that roughly 70%-75% of patients who have not been helped by any other treatment do show a dramatic improvement in their mood with ketamine, and 3 out of 4 patients who present with suicidal ideation cease to have such thoughts. A meta-analysis by the American Psychiatric Association reported that 70% of treatment-resistant patients responded positively after receiving the initial round of low-dose infusions.

How long does an infusion take?

About an hour, with an additional half hour of quiet time before discharge.

How soon before I begin to feel better?

A small percentage of patients will begin to feel better the day after the first infusion. Most young adults will need 3 or 4 infusions before noticing significant improvement. Adults over 50 years old may need 4 or 5 infusions before improvement becomes apparent. Although the above are typical response times, your experience will be individual.

How many infusions will I need?

A total of six infusions is recommended within a twelve-day period. Thereafter, patients are placed on a maintenance program and are asked to return when they feel it necessary for single infusion boosters.

Is the treatment painful?

The treatment is pain-free. Other than a small prick while starting the infusion line, you will feel no pain and may even enjoy the experience.

How will I feel after the treatment?

For 15-20 minutes after treatment, your thinking may be a bit cloudy and you may feel a bit unsteady on your feet. Some patients reported feeling somewhat tired for several hours.

Are there any medications that may interfere with the Ketamine Treatment?

Yes. Benzodiazepines, such as Klonopin, Xanax, and Ativan do interfere with ketamine if used daily and at higher doses. Lamictal (lamotrigine) in doses above 150mg/day also can block ketamine efficacy. Please speak with the doctor to discuss if and how to modify your existing medication regimen in order to maximize ketamine’s effectiveness.

Will I need to stop taking my other depression medication?

No, SSRIs and other antidepressant medications do not interfere with ketamine’s mechanism of action.

Are there medical conditions that exclude me from treatment?

Almost none. Uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart failure need to be corrected in advance. Regardless, all patients will be closely monitored while undergoing treatment.

Should I be concerned about addiction with Ketamine therapy?

Ketamine has been used safely for surgical anesthesia and trauma management in hospitals and elsewhere for over five decades, has been included on the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines list since 1985, and has few side effects. Although it is sometimes abused recreationally in high doses as a “club drug,” there is no evidence that ketamine is addictive.

Is this covered by my insurance?

We accept all payment methods. While we do not accept insurance, some insurance companies will cover all or a portion of the treatment as an “out of network” service. If so, we will gladly provide you the necessary forms to submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Our experience is that most of our patients receive some reimbursement.

Will someone need to accompany me?

You do not need anyone to accompany you, though they are certainly welcome. You may also leave on your own following our evaluation, but we recommend that a friend, relative or caretaker accompany you home, if possible. We also recommend not driving until the following day.

Can I eat and drink on the day of the treatment?

You can eat, but you should not have any food within one hour of your appointment.

What is your privacy policy?

We follow all HIPAA rules and regulations. Our privacy policy can be viewed here