After discussion with your doctor about ketamine therapy, your provider will provide us with a referral for infusion. Ketamine infusion is currently not covered by most insurance companies, leaving the payment responsibility to the patient.

After receiving your referral, we will schedule you for your first evaluation and treatment. You will initially meet with one of our physicians who will do a review of your medical history and discuss treatment plans with you. Each patient is unique and individual, but often follow a general outline. For most situations, research shows that a series of infusion close together followed by periodic maintenance infusions over time provides the best results. In most cases we recommend an initial series of 4-6 infusion over 2-3 weeks followed by maintenance infusions every 1-3 months. The number and frequency of treatments is ultimately dictated by severity of symptoms, recurrence, and response to treatment. Some patients may experience significant improvement after one infusion, others may require multiple treatments, and a small portion of patients may get little to no relief. As with all medicine, there is no promise of results.

Ketamine infusions are performed in our private suites to ensure patient comfort and minimize stimulation during the infusion. Dim lights and private TV with relaxing sounds and visuals provide a relaxing environment. You will have a small peripheral IV started and any premedication will be administered. The ketamine infusion will be administered continuously via a pump over a time period of approx 40 min to one hour. During the entire treatment, you will be video monitored and your vital signs will be continuously monitored by a physician using state of the art equipment. Patients may experience different sensations during the infusion such as feelings of floating, feeling “foggy” or mild visual hallucinations that resolve quickly after the infusion is completed. We strive to help alleviate any uncomfortable feelings with premedication, relaxants, nausea medication or by adjusting dosage or length of infusions. Each patient’s experience is unique.  After completion of the infusion you will be monitored for a short period of time to insure safety and comfort. Ketamine is a powerful medication, so you should not drive and will need to have arranged transportation home with a trusted individual. At home, we recommend that you continue to rest until the acute effects of the ketamine and possible sedation medication have subsided. During this time, you should not be responsible for making important decisions.

Disclaimer: The information in this represents our informed opinion or the opinion of others, and does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied upon to make decisions regarding medical care. To address the specific details of your medical conditions and treatments please speak with your doctors.

Please see our Library for additional resources and publications regarding these uses of ketamine.