Commonly Asked Questions About Ketamine Therapy for Depression

Depression can negatively affect one's life in many ways, which is why so many people seek treatment. One treatment that a psychiatrist may recommend is ketamine therapy. This treatment method is not for everyone, but it can be beneficial in a number of ways. It is especially effective for those who are not responding well to other treatments. However, it is a newer therapy, so many people have questions about it.

Frequently asked questions

If you have depression, a psychiatrist will perform a mental health evaluation to help determine the most effective way to treat your symptoms. Although he or she should be able to answer all your questions about ketamine therapy, these are some questions to get you started.

What is ketamine?

Ketamine is a medication that has been around for decades. The Food and Drug Administration approved it in 1970 for use as an anesthetic. There are two main types used for depression: Esketamine and racemic ketamine. Esketamine is a nasal spray and has been approved by the FDA for depression use. Racemic ketamine is given intravenously and has been used off-label for depression for years.

What are the benefits of ketamine therapy?

There are numerous advantages of ketamine therapy for depression. One is that it has fast results. Unlike antidepressants, which can take weeks or months to kick in, ketamine treatments can deliver results much quicker. Ketamine has also been shown to be more effective than antidepressants, especially for those who do not respond to other treatments.  

Does ketamine therapy work for everyone with depression?

Just as antidepressants do not work for all people with depression, ketamine therapy does not either. However, it is successful for up to 70% of patients, while antidepressants seem to be completely effective only 20% to 30% of the time. However, a psychiatrist generally will not prescribe ketamine therapy as an initial therapy.

Ketamine therapy is especially effective in patients with treatment-resistant depression. This means they have tried at least one type of antidepressant, talk therapy, or both, and have not noticed a reduction in symptoms. This is generally when ketamine is recommended.

There are also contraindications to ketamine therapy. Ketamine can be addictive, so it is not an option for someone with a history of substance abuse. Another popular illegal use for ketamine is recreational because it has dissociative properties, so someone with a history of psychosis should not take it. Other individuals who are not good candidates for the therapy include those who:

• Are pregnant
• Have hypertension that is not controlled
• Have cardiovascular disease
• Have a history of intracranial pressure