Intravenous Ketamine

Ketamine was established as a safe anesthetic for humans in 1965 and was given a US patent in 1966 under the trade name Ketaler. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Ketamine in 1970 for use in children, adults, and the elderly. During the Vietnam War, ketamine was the most widely used anesthetic on the battlefield because of its fast onset, nominal adverse respiratory side effects, potent analgesic properties, and cardiovascular stability in trauma patients. The World Health Organization (WHO) has put ketamine in the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. Although ketamine is only FDA-approved as an anesthetic, it is increasingly being used off-label for treatment-resistant depression, pain, anxiety, and other mood disorders in medical centers and clinics around the world.

Ketamine acts differently than SSRIs, tricyclics, MOAI inhibitors, benzodiazepines, other antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications. Low-dose Ketamine triggers a cascade of events in the brain, resulting in the re-wiring of neuropathways. According to research, pain, and depression can be decreased if these neuropathways can be reset with low-dose ketamine infusions.

Ketamine is being used to decrease depression symptoms, the depressed phase of bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and OCD. Ketamine infusion therapy is also being used to aid pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and addiction.

Glutamate is one of the brain’s main neurotransmitters. Glutamate affects the formation and number of brain synapses, a connection between neurons. Glutamate acts with GABA, another neurotransmitter, to maintain a healthy, operational nervous system. An imbalance between those two neurotransmitters can lead to anxiety, sleep disturbances, and difficulty focusing. An imbalance in the glutamate system may partly cause major depressive disorder. According to research, ketamine (receptor antagonist) helps rebalance the glutamate system. Ketamine blocks the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor, one of three primary glutamate receptors. The NMDA receptor is involved in synaptic plasticity and memory function. When ketamine blocks the NMDA receptor, an increase in glutamate occurs. That increase begins a cascade of neurobiological events that experts believe is the cause of ketamine’s rapid antidepressant effects. 

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and other chronic pain disorders (a process known as central sensitization) are believed to amplify pain by increasing the number of NMDA receptors. Ketamine interferes with the NMDA receptor, blocks and “resets” pain signals, offering relief. When peripheral nerve NMDA receptors are blocked, peripheral nerve pain transmission is interrupted before reaching the spinal cord and brain, allowing desensitization to peripheral pain signals. 

Ketamine is an extremely safe medication when administered in a controlled setting, in subanesthetic doses, and monitored by a qualified provider. There are a few conditions that may prevent the safe use of ketamine infusions: Vitality Health Center does not treat patients who are in a current suicide crisis. Patients who are experiencing acute suicidal thoughts are advised to contact their local crisis center, mental health provider, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or simply call 988. 

1. Uncontrolled high blood pressure 
2. Recent stroke (1 year or less) 
3. Unstable heart disease 
4. Recent heart attack (6 months or less) 
5. Untreated hyperthyroid disease 
6. Renal insufficiency 
7. Liver impairment 
8. Schizophrenia, 
9. Current manic phase of bipolar disorder 
10. Active psychotic (hallucinations or delusions) symptoms 
11. History of ketamine dependence 
12. Hypersensitivity (allergy) to ketamine 
13. Current pregnancy 
14. Active substance abuse 
15. Uncontrolled seizures 
16. Glaucoma 
17. No one to take patients home from the clinic or care for them at home.

 Patients with serious medical conditions will be evaluated using our questionnaire and one of our Advanced Registered Family Nurse Practitioners. Patients may either be disqualified or asked to obtain consultations before treatment. 

Ketamine infusion therapy is sub anesthetic with a low and safe dose. Some side effects may include slight blood pressure and heart rate increase, dizziness, brief blurred vision, a sensation of “lightness,” euphoria, and nausea. Patients are monitored continuously throughout the infusions. Medications are available to treat any side. A significant benefit of IV Ketamine infusion compared to other routes of administration is the ability to lower the infusion rate to decrease possible side effects. There is no data to suggest there are long-term side effects when administered in low doses for short periods, such as is used for mental health issues. 

Patients can notice effects within 24 hours of a ketamine infusion. Many patients see improvement in symptoms within 2-4 hours. Patients have reported relief up to 24-48 hours after infusions. Patients fill out a self-administered assessment questionnaire before each treatment. This questionnaire will help us evaluate the patient’s response. Patients with mental health conditions will typically know within 2-3 infusions if ketamine will help them. Future treatments should be considered if patients feel less pain, more hope, less sad, less suicidal thoughts, calmer or more motivated to be around people. More relief is often seen further into the course of treatment. If patients see favorable results, a series of 6 infusions within the first two weeks is recommended. Maintenance (booster) infusions may be scheduled to uphold response after initial treatment. The total length of treatment is dependent on each patient’s conditions and results. Patients with chronic pain receive the best response from longer and higher-dosed infusions which usually last 4 hours. Patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) respond best to 5-10 four-hour infusion series administered daily or every other day. Each patient’s response to Ketamine infusion therapy for pain varies and is hard to predict. Patients can expect to receive several days to several months of reduced pain, depending on the length and number of infusions. Most patients with chronic pain report a remarkable reduction in pain during the infusion and for many hours afterward. Each patient’s response varies.

The initial dose is based on several individual factors and may be adjusted with later infusions to maximize patients’ results. Patients may experience something called a dissociative effect during the infusion therapy. Patients refer to the experience as “relaxing,” “floating,” and “pleasant.” Some patients describe feelings of anxiety, disorientation, and hallucinations. A qualified member of our staff monitors patients throughout their infusion therapy. Patients with experience with other administration methods report significant differences in success from one way to another. Patients will be taken to a private ketamine infusion room for treatment. Once the infusion is complete, patients will be evaluated for 30-45 minutes before discharge. Please do not eat food for 6 hours or drink fluids for 2 hours before the appointment. The patient’s initial consultation will last 15-30 minutes. Our team will go over the patient’s history and discuss a treatment plan. Patients are welcome to bring someone with them to the appointment. Patients will be taken to a private room, have an IV catheter placed, and have the infusion started. Patients will be monitored throughout the infusion to analyze their response. Patients can listen to music, read, relax, or even nap during the treatment. The infusion duration for most conditions will be 40 minutes. Some chronic pain syndromes may last up to 4 hours. Infusion times will differ based on the disease we are treating. Patients will be required to stay for a 30-45 minute recovery time after the infusion. Patients must have an adult to drive them home after the appointment. Patients cannot drive or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours post-treatment.

No. Some patients get long-term relief after only one infusion series. Ketamine can restore the brain to a healthy balance after the initial infusions. Maintenance or “booster” infusions are provided as needed for maintenance. Ketamine infusions may enhance the impact of antidepressants or provide relief that oral medications, other therapies, and lifestyle changes can sustain. 

No. Ketamine is used to treat addiction withdrawal symptoms and medication cravings. Ketamine has been used for years as an anesthetic and analgesic in adults, and children, and more so in trauma management. Ketamine has been abused recreationally at far higher doses as a club drug; there is no evidence that ketamine is addictive. Ketamine as an infusion therapy is administered under supervision at subanesthetic doses. 

 Patients are safe and will leave feeling much better. Please bring the following 

1. A government-issued photo ID is issued to the patient for each appointment. 
2. An adult to drive the patient to and from our center and stay with the patient during infusion. 3. Please wear comfortable loose clothing; we will put heart monitor patches on their chest.
3. Patients may bring tablets, books, audio players, and headphones to listen to music, if possible, something soothing to them. 5. Patients are encouraged to sit back and relax. 

Our Advanced Registered Family Nurse Practitioners evaluate all patients to receive a history and physical. Patients may also bring a written order from their providers. Sometimes, patients may be asked for a written referral from their mental health or primary care provider. 

Patients should bring any medical records from their primary care provider or psychiatrist. Patients should also bring any recent lab work. Some patients may require lab work before infusions and this will be discussed during the initial consultation. 

Patient’s information will be reviewed along with any information received from referring providers. Our team will also evaluate the intake forms patients complete. Our Advanced Registered Family Nurse Practitioner will conduct a physical exam and recommend a ketamine treatment care plan. The initial consultation will last about 45-60 minutes. 

We would like to speak with patients and discuss their current medical issues and medications before their first infusion. Patients should not take sympathomimetic medications like Adderall, Ritalin, and Phentermine on the day of an infusion. Patients may obtain better results if they are weaned off benzodiazepines before ketamine treatment. We recommend that patients do not take benzodiazepines on the day of their infusion. This does not mean patients can’t receive ketamine treatment while taking benzodiazepines. It is entirely safe; we just want to ensure the best possible chances for the patient’s success. Some common brand names for benzodiazepines are Xanax (Alprazolam), Ativan (Lorazepam), Valium (Diazepam), and Klonopin (Clonazepam). Patients should not take opioid pain medications and muscle relaxers 6 hours before an infusion or up to 3 hours afterward. Medical Cannabis should not be used on the day of an infusion. Patients should also avoid alcohol on the day of a ketamine infusion. Patients should contact us with any questions regarding interactions between current medications and ketamine. There are currently a few other medications known to interfere or block the response to ketamine: Risperidone (Risperdal), Olanzapine (Zyprexa), and Lamictal. These are “relative contraindications” to therapy. Patients should not adjust the dose or frequency of any prescribed medication without first consulting with the prescribing physician. 

Research on ketamine infusion therapy has been very hopeful in the last several years. Research indicates that low-dose ketamine infusion therapy can offer rapid and robust relief from the symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, migraines, and chronic pain. Please see the Provider/Referral page for some current Ketamine articles.

Insurance does not currently cover ketamine infusion therapy. We accept cash, all major credit cards, and money orders. 

Please call our center for our prices. Ketamine Advocacy Network provides a great illustration of price determination. http://www.ketamineadvocacynetwork.org/cost/ 

Research on ketamine infusion therapy has been very hopeful in the last several years. Research indicates that low-dose ketamine infusion therapy can offer rapid and robust relief from the symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, migraines, and chronic pain. Please see the Provider/Referral page for some current Ketamine articles.

Yes, we have a financing option available for ketamine infusion therapy. We offer Advance Care, which provides the patient with the most cost-effective way to finance elective medical procedures. Advance Care can now qualify patients for up to 14 months of true interest-free financing. The financing application only takes a few minutes, and, in most cases, we can provide a credit decision immediately. Please visit their website for more information.http://advancecarecard.com/ 

All our patients receive their infusion in a private, peaceful infusion room. 

Yes. Ketamine infusion therapy does put patients to sleep. Patients who are already drowsy and feeling calm and relaxed during the treatment may doze off, but most can move freely during the infusion. 

Please do not eat anything for 6 hours before a ketamine infusion therapy. Patients may drink clear liquids (water, fruit juices without pulp, carbonated beverages, clear tea, or black coffee) until two hours before an infusion. Do not consume alcohol or use any illicit drugs the day of an infusion. These substances are hazardous in combination with ketamine. 

Patients are encouraged to continue working with their outpatient providers for medication management and psychotherapy. If patients do not have a psychiatrist or therapist, our team at Vitality Health Center can facilitate a referral. 

No. Any licensed mental health care professional or provider can refer patients.

We are so excited to offer ketamine right here in Wichita. Patients can call our office at 1-877-393-2492 or (316) 866-6744. Patients can email us at info@vitality-hc.com. Patients can come by in person to:

10111 E 21st Street North
Suite 315
Wichita KS, 67220