Advantages of Ketamine Infusions For Depression Treatment
Ketamine is an anesthetic used in hospitals and clinics to help people relax before surgery. It is also used as a sedative for patients who are in great pain or have difficult anesthesia during medical procedures. Today, ketamine is increasingly being used as a major depression disorder treatment option for some patients with depression.
What Are Ketamine Infusions?
Ketamine infusions are administered through an IV, which makes them a slower treatment option than most antidepressants that can be taken by mouth (in tablet or capsule form). Depending on the severity of your depression and any other issues you may have with your kidneys, bladder, or lungs, you may be able to receive a low-risk treatment with low long-term side effects and limited risk of developing an addiction.
Here’s more information about the advantages of receiving a ketamine infusion as part of your treatment plan for depression.
Ketamine Can Be Administered In An Infusion Center
There are several different types of centers that offer IV ketamine for patients with treatment-resistant depression. Some centers are outpatient, while others are inpatient settings that patients may stay in for a short time. These centers can offer medications in an outpatient setting, while also allowing patients to leave the facility if they need to return to work or manage their other daily activities. Inpatient ketamine infusion centers provide a safe and controlled environment where patients receive treatment with a lower risk of side effects and can have access to specialized care. Some centers also offer outpatient ketamine treatment in a less intensive setting, while other centers may allow you to receive the treatment while you are in the hospital.
Cheaper Treatment Option Than Most Antidepressants
When compared with other antidepressant treatments, ketamine has a much lower cost. While some psychiatrists may charge a monthly fee, the price of ketamine treatment, including the cost of the medication, occurs during the infusion itself. If you are interested in IV ketamine as a treatment for depression, it may be cheaper than other antidepressant options. Some of the most expensive antidepressants, such as SSRI or SNRI antidepressants, can cost between $50 and $100 per day. Some patients may also want to consider the cost of side effects, which can include nausea, weight loss, dry mouth, increased appetite, or sexual dysfunction.
Shorter Duration of Effective Treatment
Ketamine’s effects last about two hours, which means patients will not have to take additional medication on top of the ketamine to prevent side effects, such as headaches, nausea, or insomnia. Most antidepressants take four weeks to start working and have a maximum length of effectiveness of around six months. After six months, the medications will no longer be effective, meaning patients will have to begin a new treatment, possibly with a different medication. During the first two weeks of ketamine treatment (an initial “ketamine kickstart”), patients may experience some side effects, such as increased blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and a rapid increase in blood sugar. After two weeks of treatment, the side effects of ketamine tend to be minimal, and most patients will see improvement in their symptoms of depression.
Side Effects Are Minimal and Short-Term
While ketamine infusions are a safe treatment for depression, some patients may experience higher-than-normal blood pressure and heart rate that can last for a couple of hours after experiencing the initial boost of the medication. Other common side effects of ketamine treatment for depression include nausea, fatigue, dizziness, headache, and increased thirst. Nausea, dizziness, and increased thirst tend to subside within 24 hours. Headaches may last for a few days. Ketamine can also cause changes in appetite that can last for up to a week. Changes in appetite are most commonly reported during the initial two weeks of treatment and usually go away after a week.
The Disadvantage of Ketamine Infusions for Depression Treatment
Like other medications, IV ketamine treatments have not been proven to be effective in long-term treatment for most people with depression. People who do not respond to the initial “ketamine kickstart” may find that they do not experience any significant improvement, although this is uncommon. IV ketamine treatments may also have side effects that last longer than the two to four-week duration of the medication.
Which Drugs Can Be Used as Part Of a Ketamine Infusion Program?
In addition to IV ketamine, other drugs that can be used to treat depression include: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) – these are antidepressants that work by increasing the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which may help improve mood Fluoxetine – this is a commonly used antidepressant that works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain Duloxetine – this antidepressant also works by increasing serotonin levels Venlafaxine – this antidepressant works by inhibiting reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which may help improve mood Bupropion – this antidepressant works by decreasing the amount of dopamine in the brain
Summary
Ketamine can be administered in an infusion center and is a cheaper treatment option than many antidepressants. Ketamine infusions are effective for a shorter duration than typical medications while having minimal and short-term side effects. The advantage of ketamine is that it has a much lower risk of developing an addiction than traditional antidepressants, such as SSRIs, SNRIs, and tricyclic antidepressants. Ketamine is not a long-term treatment option, but it may be an option for some people who experience a quick response to the medication.