Intramuscular (IM) Ketamine Therapy

Who Can (IM) Ketamine Help?

In low doses, Ketamine can be used to efficaciously treat patients with:

  • Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)

  • Depressive symptoms in adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with acute suicidal ideation or behavior (MDSI)

  • Anxiety

Ketamine is considered to be safe and effective (1). In fact, it has a lower impact than most common antidepressants such as SSRI’s or MAOI’s (2). It is administered in our office and can be a great option for those yet to find relief.

 

Is (IM) Ketamine Right For Me?

While Ketamine has an established track record of success, Ketamine therapy may not be the best treatment option for everyone.

Patients are ineligible for this treatment option for those actively dealing with:

  • Uncontrolled Blood Pressure

  • Substance Abuse and Dependence

Patients are ineligible for this treatment option for those with a history of:

  • Vascular Disease

  • Arteriovenous Malformation

  • Aneurysm

  • Psychosis

Common Side Effects

Ketamine is a common dissociative antiesthetic that will have expected side effects during treatment. These can include:

  • Nausea and Vomiting

  • Dizziness

  • Double Vision (Diplopia)

  • Drowsiness (Sedation)

  • Confusion

During the treatment, patients rarely experience a hallucinogenic or adverse reaction.

Dysphoria can be an adverse reaction to the treatment. This means the patient will have a worsening outlook on themselves and life. Please contact your provider immediately if you are experiencing this as a side effect or go to your nearest emergency room.

A complete list of side effects can be found here.

 FAQs

  • Ketamine was developed more than 50 years ago as an anesthetic. It has an established and safe track record in surgery and emergency room settings and is frequently preferred for use in pediatric surgery. Over the past several years, ketamine has been found to have impressive antidepressant effects in lower dosing. Administered by intravenous or intramuscular routes (3), ketamine can be used to efficaciously treat patients with depression, suicidal ideation and treatment resistant depression.

  • Ketamine is a N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist (4). This means that it slows the reuptake of the neurotransmitter glutamate and increases its affects in the body. The inhibition of glutamate has been linked to depression (5), therefore ketamine can improve depressive symptoms.

    Ketamine also leads to the creation of new neural connections through the stimulation of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).

  • Traditional antidepressants can take weeks to months before any reduction in symptoms are seen.

    With Ketamine, results are often noticed within 24 hours of the first treatment.

    This relief in symptoms allows many patients to have significant improvements in their day-to-day lives. They report more energy and motivation, less social isolation and more ability to tolerate stress. Also, patients have experienced improvements in their sleep and appetite. These positive lifestyle changes allow for further improvements in mood and extends the antidepressant effects.

  • Because it has yet to be approved by the FDA, insurances will not cover ketamine treatment.

    We offer completive rates for the medication and monitoring at just $250.00 per visit with a 12 treatment minimum.