INTRAVENOUS (IV) KETAMINE:

​

Click HERE to Learn about IV KETAMINE

​

Click HERE to Find out How IV Ketamine Works

 

IV Ketamine should be considered for severe, recurring, disabling, or life threatening depression from Major Depressive Disorder or depression associated with other conditions like Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar 1 & 2 Mood Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Depression can get worse or improve spontaneously over time with no intervention. If treated with medication, like antidepressants, talk therapy, and exercise, depression in many people improves. Other alternatives exist for severe depression or depression not responding to traditional treatment like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) or Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). Ketamine has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat depression and this is an OFF-LABEL use of Ketamine.

 

A urine drug screen may be required to verify the absence of certain medications. Certain medications CANNOT be taken within 2 weeks before and during ketamine infusions. Examples include: Sedatives (e.g., Valium diazepam, Klonopin clonazepam, Ativan lorazepam, Xanax alprazolam), Pain killers (e.g. tramadol), and Muscle relaxants (e.g. Soma, Dantrolene). You will NOT be able to take these medication(s) while receiving a ketamine infusion without clearance or approval of the physicians involved in administering ketamine. This is due to concerns for potential increased sedation and / or trouble breathing.

 

Risks/Discomforts: Any procedure has possible risks and discomforts. Ketamine infusions may cause all, some, or none of the risks or side effects listed. Rare, unknown, or unforeseeable (unexpected) risks also may occur.  Side effects normally depend on the dose and how quickly the infusion is given. The dose being used is lower than the approved anesthetic doses and will be given slowly over approximately 40 to 60 minutes. These side effects often go away spontaneously. No lingering effects have been reported.

 

Common Side Effects (greater than 1% and less than 10%; between 1 out of a 100 and 10 out of 100)

• Vivid dreams and nightmares

• Nausea and vomiting

• Increased saliva production

• Blurred vision

• Dizziness

• Out-of-body experience during the infusion

• Increased heart rate during the infusion

• Disrupted motor skills

• Increased blood pressure and increased heart rate (approximately 20% of the normal rate is usual)

The above symptoms will go away when the infusion is stopped, or another medication such as a short acting benzodiazepine may help. You should not drive or operate heavy machinery 24 hours after a Ketamine infusion.

 

Uncommon side effects (greater than 0.1% and less than 1%; between 1 out of 1,000 and 10 out of 1,000)

• Jerky arm movements, which resemble a seizure (as a result of increased muscle tension) and cross-eyed appearance

• Double vision

• Rash

• Pain and redness in the site of injection

• Increased pressure in the eye

 

Rare side effects (greater than 0.01% and less than 0.1%; between 1 out of 10,000 and 10 out of 10,000)

• Allergic reaction

• Irregular heart rate or slow-down of heart rate

• Low blood pressure

• Arrhythmia

 

Benefits: Ketamine may improve your symptoms of depression, but these effects may not be long-lasting.

​

Outcome and Follow Required: In most patients, Ketamine infusion requires a series of (6) treatments delivered typically every other day for two weeks and maintenance infusions. You must report any unusual symptoms or side effects at once to the staff.

 

The total cost of (6) treatments is $4500 and monthly booster infusions for maintenance treatment cost $750 per month. An initial consultation to see if Ketamine is right for you would be about an hour with Dr. Halweg and would cost $475.

​

IV Ketamine is NOT covered by insurance. Call (808) 202-0669 to schedule a consultation.