ketamine: faqs
Q: What is ketamine?
A: Historically, ketamine has been used to induce and maintain anesthesia, including procedural sedation in both children and adults. More recently, a compelling amount of evidence suggests that in sub-anesthetic doses, ketamine infusions can restore the damaged brain pathways known to cause mood disorders.
Some patients achieve long-term relief after a single series of infusions, while others find that the infusions enhance their oral medications and complementary therapies. When administered in a monitored and controlled environment, studies show that ketamine does not exhibit addictive potential and may be administered on a consistent basis to sustain mental health.
Q: WILL KETAMINE INFUSIONS WORK FOR ME?
A: Although all patients are unique and results cannot be guaranteed, over 70% of patients with treatment resistant mood disorders and pain syndromes can expect significant relief with ketamine infusions. We customize each patient’s infusion dosage and frequency to maximize a positive and effective clinical response.
Q: WHAT IS THE USUAL COURSE OF TREATMENT?
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Q: ON THE DAY OF THE INFUSION, WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
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Q: WHAT ARE THE RISKS FOR THE INFUSIONS?
A: Although all patients are unique and results cannot be guaranteed, over 70% of patients with treatment resistant mood disorders and pain syndromes can expect significant relief with ketamine infusions. We customize each patient’s infusion dosage and frequency to maximize a positive and effective clinical response.
Q: ARE THERE ANY SIDE-EFFECTS?
A: Patients commonly admit to feeling tired following an infusion. Occasionally patients experience nausea or a transient headache, which is relieved by an additional anti-nausea medication or oral Tylenol/NSAIDs. Side effects from the infusion are typically short lived lasting usually only a few hours. There are no reported long term side effects with ketamine infusions.
Q: ARE KETAMINE INFUSIONS ADDICTIVE?
A: Current studies do not demonstrate an addictive potential for ketamine when administered in a controlled and monitored environment.
Q: WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO FEEL DURING AND AFTER MY INFUSION?
A: The first 15-20 minutes you may have no noticeable effects. Halfway through the infusion most patients begin to experience feelings described as: euphoria, floating, heightened perceptions, feeling disconnected, or in a dream.
Q: HOW LONG WILL THE RESULTS LAST?
A: Some patients achieve long-term relief after a single series of infusions. Some find that these infusions augment and enhance their existing oral medications and therapies. For resistant symptoms, for which ketamine infusions are the only effective treatment, most patients choose to begin a maintenance program, returning for single “booster” infusions intermittently. The interval between maintenance infusions varies from patient to patient.