Ketamine is an emerging treatment option for patients with depression and other mental health problems. Experienced psychiatrist Karen Giles, MD, at Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions in Sandy Springs and Alpharetta, Georgia, specializes in innovative therapies like IV ketamine infusions to treat moderate to severe depression and anxiety. To learn more about fast-acting ketamine treatments and how they could benefit you, call Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions today or request an appointment online.
Ketamine is an FDA-approved anesthetic drug used frequently in hospital settings. For treating depression and suicidal thoughts, although not FDA-approved, in significantly smaller doses, ketamine has a powerful effect in treating people with acute depression and anxiety. IV ketamine is fast acting and considered a go-to modality for people with severe depression and suicidal ideation. Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions offers highly personalized IV ketamine treatments.
IV (intravenous) ketamine treatment delivers a customized dose of ketamine directly into your bloodstream with an infusion that lasts 40 - 60 minutes.
Ketamine works quickly to reduce negative feelings and boost your mood. Its fast-acting effects offer an advantage over many psychiatric medications, which typically take 4-6 weeks to start working.
IV ketamine can be an effective treatment for patients struggling with:
*Dr. Giles does not do medication management for these disorders. IV ketamine treatment is offered in conjunction with your primary psychiatrist for PTSD, OCD, and eating disorders.
IV ketamine offers an innovative option for patients with moderate to severe depression, treatment-resistant depression, and depression with anxiety who have not responded to medication and therapy alone.
IV ketamine infusions involve placing a needle in an arm vein. The needle attaches to a tube called a catheter, which in turn connects to a bag of ketamine solution. The ketamine drips steadily down the catheter and into your arm over 40-60 minutes.
Dr. Giles uses doses of ketamine that are much lower than those used for anesthesia, so you will remain awake; however, you may notice mild dissociative feelings.
You might experience side effects from your ketamine therapy such as mild nausea or dizziness. If you do, these feelings usually pass, however, if they are uncomfortable, Dr. Giles has medication to treat them. A qualified staff member supervises you at all times throughout the treatment.
In the induction phase, IV ketamine infusions are administered 2-3 times per week for 2-3 weeks. At Breakthru, we strongly encourage our patients to follow the induction phase with a 6 treatment taper protocol over 6-12 weeks. This is done to support each patient’s unique response and remission. While the effects of ketamine do not typically last longer than one month, Dr. Giles can utilize other strategies such as pharmacogenetic testing for medication changes or the implementation of TMS to significantly extend the effect.
To find out how ketamine can improve your depression, call Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions today or request an appointment online.
No, you need someone to drive you home because ketamine can impair your reaction time. You can drive after a good night sleep
Our clinical staff observes and supports our patients 100% of the time during treatments. Most patients request that clinicians are not in the room for the duration of treatment; however, patients are always continuously monitored.