Ketamine Therapy in Tampa, FL
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a revolutionary new treatment for depression. It works quickly and has minimal side effects compared to other current treatments. It was traditionally done as an Intravenous infusion which required extensive monitoring and expense. Newer procedures allow for lower doses and for intramuscular injection which have made the procedure safer, easier, and more affordable.
What Are The Side Effects
Common side effects of antidepressant medication include weight gain and sexual side effects. Ketamine is burdened by neither of these. Traditional antidepressant medication can take weeks to demonstrate efficacy. Ketamine has been shown to be effective in hours, or less! Like many pharmaceutical medications, Ketamine has been identified to be useful in the treatment of several different conditions. At an appropriate dose, the use of Ketamine for the treatment of depression can produce fast-acting antidepressant effects. For more information, please see the articles below.
What Are The Benefits
Rapid response is the primary benefit. Depression can improve within hours vs 4-6 weeks for a trial of antidepressants. Patients who benefit from ketamine therapy may choose to stop taking current antidepressants with psychiatrist approval.However, it is not necessary to stop their current medication(s) before trying ketamine. In some studies, the rapid improvement has lasted only a few days or weeks, so follow up appointment(s) are recommended. Research shows that a series of six treatments over a few weeks can prolong the benefits. If there is no change after the second treatment, the patient may be in the 20-30% non-responder group, and there is no need to continue therapy.
What To Expect with Ketamine Treatment
Patients must have a companion present to drive them home and remain nearby for 8-12 hours after the procedure. Although nausea is unlikely, it is suggested to not eat solid food and, except for blood pressure meds, skip pills the morning of the procedure. Initial vital signs and any new mood symptoms will be reviewed with Dr. Northrup. The injection will then be administered by the doctor, typically in the arm muscle. The procedure includes about 30 minutes of physician directed post-injection mental status monitoring as well as a recheck of vital signs before being discharged home with the companion/driver. Patients will be expected to fill out a post-procedure mood evaluation form the day following the injection to help determine response. Patients can return to normal activities the following morning.
Ketamine In The Media
National Public Radio Report
Club Drug Ketamine Gains Traction As A Treatment For Depression
From the U.S. Psychiatric and Mental Health Congress
Novel Therapeutics for Major Depression
Journal Article References
Rapid and longer-term antidepressant effects of repeated ketamine infusions in treatment-resistant major depression.
Ketamine’s antidepressant effect: focus on ketamine mechanisms of action
The role of ketamine in treatment-resistant depression: a systematic review.
Effects of intravenous ketamine on explicit and implicit measures of suicidality in treatment-resistant depression.
Antidepressant mechanism of ketamine: perspective from preclinical studies.
Acute Antidepressant Effects of Intramuscular Versus Intravenous Ketamine
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