FAQ
Ketamine has a wide range of potential interactions with other substances, including serious interactions with central nervous system depressants such as opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol.
Occasionally patients experience some nausea following an infusion. If so, there is medication that will help. More rarely, a patient may experience a transient headache. Patients can expect to be tired following the infusion. Very rarely, patients already at risk for seizure have reportedly experienced one. If you have a seizure disorder, please be sure to discuss it with your doctor prior to receiving ketamine therapy.
Ketamine is administered over a period of 40 minutes. The dose is determined by your weight. The amount of ketamine administered is not enough to cause a loss of consciousness, so you will remain awake. During the infusion, some patients experience odd perceptions—like seeing bright colors. Some report what is referred to as a “dissociative”, or “out of body” experience. These are side effects of ketamine that may be important for ketamine’s ultimate effectiveness. Most patients tolerate the experiences with no trouble, and many people find them pleasant. Once the infusion is complete, the dissociative effects of the drug rapidly dissipate. There are no delayed “flashbacks,” and patients generally leave the office within 30 minutes following the infusion and feel quite normal.
No. Some patients seem to achieve long-term relief after a series of infusions.
Some patients will begin to feel better within hours of the first infusion. Patients with thoughts of self-harm often notice those thoughts dissipating first. There can be a dramatic relief of dread and hopelessness. Other patients may not notice any mood improvement until the next day. Some patients will require a second (or even a third) infusion before feeling better.
Following the initial series of infusions most patients choose, in consultation with their doctors, to begin a maintenance program, returning for single infusions intermittently. The interval between maintenance infusions varies from patient to patient.
That will depend on your response. Most patients respond to a series of six treatments, but in some cases more or fewer are needed.
Based on a review of the research performed over the past fifteen years, and in our experience, up to 70% of all patients can expect significant and rapid relief. Of course, this is not predictive of individual results and individual results may vary. We offer intranasal ketamine therapy in order to offer you the best chance of success while limiting risk of serious side effects.
