IV Ketamine

What is ketamine?

Ketamine is an anesthetic drug that also has a powerful effect on lifting mood in people suffering from depression. It is particularly helpful for depression with suicidal thoughts. Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions offers two types of ketamine treatments:

IV ketamine

IV (intravenous) treatment delivers a customized dose of ketamine directly into your bloodstream over 40 - 60 minutes. These treatments are not currently covered by insurance.

Spravato®

Spravato® is a nasal spray for use under medical supervision. It contains a refined form of the drug (esketamine). Spravato® has FDA approval for combined use with antidepressant medication, so treatment may be covered by your insurance.

Ketamine and Spravato® work 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.

Why might I need ketamine therapy?

You might benefit from ketamine therapy if you have depression, bipolar depression, or depression with anxiety, and other treatments aren’t working.

Depression is a mood disorder that affects millions of lives each year. Depression causes prolonged sadness and misery that nothing seems to lift. Anxiety causes intense feelings of fear and dread that you can’t control. The two conditions often develop at the same time.

Both disorders significantly impact your daily life. You lack enthusiasm for the activities you used to enjoy and struggle to get through each day. The negative emotions are so wearing that you feel exhausted yet still struggle to get restful sleep. 

You stay at home and even isolate yourself from family and friends in the face of these overwhelming feelings.

Breakthru Psychiatric Solutions offers several effective treatments for people with depression and anxiety. These include:

• Antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications
• Ketamine therapy
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
• injections for depression

Many people benefit from medication and therapy, but some don’t improve. Ketamine, & TMS offer innovative options for patients with moderate to severe depression, treatment-resistant depression, and depression with anxiety.   

What does ketamine therapy involve?

Spravato® is an in-office treatment that simply involves spraying the required amount into your nasal passages. However, it must be under a psychiatrist's supervision.

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 and aware of your surroundings, however, you may notice mild dissociative feelings which are usually pleasant. Most people find the treatments relaxing. 

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.

Ketamine infusions and Spravato® treatments are typically given 2-3 times per week for 3 weeks. If your depression improves with these treatments, Dr. Giles will decrease the frequency of treatments with the goal of one treatment per month if possible. While the effects of ketamine do not typically last longer than one month, Dr. Giles can utilize other strategies such as medication changes or 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.