Ketamine has been used as an anesthetic and pain relief medication in operating rooms for decades. It is a very safe depression medication in the hands of properly trained healthcare professionals. Anesthesiologists are the most highly trained physicians when it comes to the safe use of ketamine.  

Its use as a treatment for depression, including treatment-resistant depression and other mental health conditions, is at sub-anesthetic doses, below those necessary to induce general anesthesia. Ketamine is also frequently used to treat patients experiencing chronic pain conditions. 

A typical ketamine infusion session lasts approximately 40 minutes to one hour. However, the duration may vary based on the individual and the specific treatment protocol recommended by our medical team.

Ketamine has been used as an anesthetic and pain relief medication in operating rooms for decades. It is a very safe depression medication in the hands of properly trained healthcare professionals. Anesthesiologists are the most highly trained physicians when it comes to the safe use of ketamine.  

Its use as a treatment for depression, including treatment-resistant depression and other mental health conditions, is at sub-anesthetic doses, below those necessary to induce general anesthesia. Ketamine is also frequently used to treat patients experiencing chronic pain conditions.  

Ketamine has been abused as a recreational drug. Street drug use is in doses vastly higher than the sub-anesthetic doses used for the treatment of depression and other mental health conditions. As mentioned above, ketamine for depression is used legally and safely everyday in the specialty of anesthesia and is a very safe medication in experienced hands. Incidentally, a large number of the drugs used in anesthesia practice have the potential for abuse, so ketamine is not unique in this respect. The key is administering the right dose to the right patient in the right setting.

There are many other ways to give ketamine for depression and pain: orally, sublingual, intranasally, and intramascularly. Unfortunately, the effectiveness and predictability of response in these other routes are vastly inferior to intravenous ketamine. Additionally, the overwhelming majority of scientific studies of ketamine for depression and mental health conditions have been performed using IV Ketamine. In short, IV ketamine is the gold standard route for ketamine administration.

Research over the last 5-10 years has shown that intravenous administration of ketamine in sub-anesthetic doses remarkably benefits 70% of people suffering from severe depression, with 25% achieving remission. While the benefits can truly be remarkable, they often occur in ways that differ from some patients’ expectations. That is, the changes produced by ketamine can be subtle, and while they occur quickly, they do not always manifest themselves immediately. This phenomenon stands in contrast to some patients’ expectations of a benevolent “thunderbolt” response from ketamine treatment. With this in mind, we will work closely with you to identify and evaluate the benefits of ketamine as a depression medication.

Our internal data, collected over the course of performing over 10,000 ketamine infusions, demonstrates a 70% success rate among the patients we treat.

Please review the News and Research tab of our website to learn about the clinical research and read other newsworthy articles related to ketamine for depression and other mental health disorders.

In some cases, patients may require maintenance or booster sessions if symptoms of depression or other conditions return. Our medical team will discuss long-term treatment options with you and develop a plan tailored to your needs to help sustain the positive effects of ketamine infusion therapy.

After we have received your medical history,  we will schedule an initial consultation with our psychiatric nurse practitioner who will answer all your questions, assess you as a candidate for ketamine therapy and formulate a plan for treatment.

The infusion logistics are as follows: we will place an IV, apply monitors to enable us to record your heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, and oxygen level continuously throughout the infusion, then we begin the infusion. The infusion itself takes about 45 minutes. Afterwards, we will monitor you for approximately 30 minutes before you are released with a friend or relative who can drive you safely home.

During the infusion, occasionally people experience nausea or dizziness. If you experience nausea, we are equipped to treat it with an IV dose of an anti-nausea medication.

You will be awake during the infusion and able to interact with those around you. It is best to relax quietly or listen to relaxing music during the infusion.

The effects of ketamine wear off quickly once the infusion is stopped, although we ask that you refrain from driving until the day after the infusion.

Please do not eat solid foods, milk, pulp-filled juices or soup for 4-hours prior to your appointment. You may have clear liquids such as water, Gatorade, apple juice, black coffee or tea up to two hours prior to your appointment.

Prior to your ketamine infusion session, it is important to follow any pre-treatment instructions provided by our clinic. This may include fasting for a certain period of time or adjusting your medication schedule. Our medical team will provide you with detailed guidelines to ensure a safe and effective treatment.

Ketamine infusion therapy can temporarily affect your coordination and cognition. It is advised to arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home after the session. It is also recommended to avoid operating heavy machinery or making important decisions for the remainder of the day.

The standard ketamine infusion protocol for depression that has resulted from scientific trials and clinical experience around the U.S. is 4-6 infusions over a two-week period. We have found 4, rather than 6, initial infusions to be the most high yield. It has been shown that serial infusions are more effective than single infusions, and the majority of patients who respond to ketamine treatment require maintenance infusions on an ongoing basis following the initial series. The frequency of these maintenance infusions varies greatly from person to person. It is important to note that ketamine infusions should not be viewed as a cure for depression, but rather a depression treatment that is a piece of a multi-modal approach that may include ongoing mental health therapy or other depression medication. 

Ketamine infusion therapy has shown promise in rapidly reducing suicidal thoughts and ideation in some individuals. It is considered a potential treatment option for patients experiencing severe depression or suicidal thinking. However, it is important to seek immediate help in case of emergency or if you or someone you know is at risk of self-harm or suicide.

Ketamine infusion therapy can be considered for children and adolescents on a case-by-case basis. Our clinic follows strict guidelines and evaluates each patient individually to determine the appropriateness of the treatment based on their age, medical history, and condition.

Yes, you should not stop your antidepressant medications in order to receive ketamine. It is essential that we review your current medication list prior to beginning ketamine treatments.

Ketamine infusion therapy can be used in combination with other treatments, including psychotherapy and medication management. Our clinic takes a comprehensive approach to your care and will work collaboratively with your existing healthcare providers to develop an individualized treatment plan

Ketamine is not physically addicting, but has been shown to be psychologically addicting in those using it recreationally at much higher doses and in far greater frequencies than we will use.

phone: (720) 724-8075
fax: (720)-634-0365

contactus@ketaminedenver.com

LITTLETON, CO KETAMINE CLINIC

26 West Dry Creek Circle; Suite 200
Littleton, CO 80120

WESTMINSTER, CO KETAMINE CLINIC

12110 North Pecos St; Suite 160
Westminster, CO 80234