Ketamine is an FDA-approved anesthetic that is an alternative treatment for refractory depression, chronic pain syndromes, post-traumatic stress disorder and many other conditions with outstanding results. This new therapy can provide effective and long last relief from many symptoms including depression and chronic pain.

The short answer is no. Although a robust wealth of publications have established ketamine’s safety and efficacy in treating major depressive disorders, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders and suicide ideation. The issue lies in financial cost required to fund very large controlled studies generally required by the FDA to get approval for any psychiatric drug. Ketamine is a generic drug, no pharmaceutical company will invest significant funds on such research. Here and many places around the country ketamine is being used “off label” prescribed by a physician.

Yes, ketamine infusions for depression are outpatient procedures requiring no hospital admission

No, although referrals from any mental health care provider are encouraged, an initial consultation with one of our staff can determine if you are a good candidate for ketamine therapy.

No, ideally our patients should have tried some method of treatment as prescribed or directed by a mental health provider. Patients suffering from severe/chronic depression may have a more complicated course and require more intensive therapy, such as ECT, TMS, and now ketamine therapy. Ketamine infusion therapy is reserved for those patients with chronic depression that is considered otherwise treatment resistant.

A usual course consists of total of six treatments within a 2 week period. That will maximize the ketamine effect. Thereafter, patients are placed a maintenance program where they return when they feel it necessary for a single infusion booster. During the maintenance period, the duration of relief following the initial infusions and the first booster, and between subsequent single booster infusions varies between patients. The average duration of relief between booster infusions is about a month.

About 45 minutes, with an additional half hour before discharge.

No. The dose of ketamine you will receive does not cause any loss of consciousness.

Most patients experience a mild dissociation or inner reflective experience that is generally well tolerated. If you find it unpleasant we can treat it. Within 15 minutes of ending the infusion your thinking will be clear.

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

Very few. Uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart failure need to be treated.

No. Although in high doses it has been abused recreationally, there is no evidence that ketamine is addictive. Ketamine has a remarkable safety record and has been proven safe in humans over many decades in and out of hosptials for surgical anesthesia and trauma management. The low doses used to treat severe depression are highly unlikely to lead to addiction.

Usually a week is required to get you onto the schedule. True emergencies, with a psychiatric referral, can be seen within a day.

The fee for each infusion is $500. We do not accept any private insurance or Medicare, but will provide you with the forms to submit for reimbursement. Financing options are available through Advance Care, a medical funding company. For details please call them directly at 800-432-9470, or visit their website advancecarecard.com.

Plan to spend about 2 hours (usually less) with us. Arrange transportation to and from our clinic. On an usual treatment day you should wear comfortable clothes. Try to not wear your favorite light colored blouse. You are free to bring audio devices, pillows, eye masks for your personal use. If you tend to be cold at most offices bring a comfortable blanket.

Please do not consume solid food, orange juice, pulp-filled juices, or non-clear broths or soups in the six hours preceding your appointment.
You may have transparent liquids such as water, clear broth, apple juice, white grape juice (not dark), black coffee (NO DAIRY OR CREAMER), or clear tea (no milk or leaves) up to two hours prior to your appointment.
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CONSUMING ALCOHOL, SMOKING OR INGESTING MARIJUANA, OR USING COCAINE, HEROIN, OR OTHER ILLICIT SUBSTANCES. Not only can they pose a safety risk when combined with ketamine treatment but also they can interfere with the effectiveness of ketamine therapy.