Ketamine is a controlled substance that has been FDA approved as an injection solution to induce and maintain anesthesia. Although ketamine is an anesthetic, many medical professionals use it for the off-label treatment of depression. Research has suggested that ketamine can be an effective treatment for treatment-resistant depression symptoms.
Have you been struggling with depression symptoms that won’t respond to medication or talk therapy? Ketamine can be used in some instances to improve the symptoms of depression. We encourage you to learn more about ketamine treatments so you can better understand all the treatment options available to you, but Active Path Mental Health does not offer ketamine infusion treatments. However, esketamine is a depression treatment option we offer. This nasal inhalant drug is FDA approved and is just one of the evidence-based treatments we offer to treat depression. Here are some other things you should know about ketamine and esketamine treatments.
Why is ketamine used to treat people who’ve been diagnosed with depression?
Ketamine is a treatment option that licensed medical professionals can treat depression with. It’s used for patients with severe, treatment-resistant depression symptoms. Ketamine is sometimes used for depression treatment because of the benefits it provides. These benefits include:
- It can be effective for people with treatment resistance — Another reason why ketamine is used for depression is that it can bring positive results to people with treatment-resistant depression.
- It provides rapid symptom relief — For people with treatment resistance, it can provide faster relief from symptoms than standard antidepressants.
What are the side effects of ketamine treatments for depression?
Ketamine treatments for depression are administered via intravenous infusion. There should always be a professional keeping watch during the treatment session. They’re there to ensure that the patient doesn’t experience any serious side effects.
Some of the most common effects of ketamine treatment for depression include:
- Dissociation.
- Intoxication.
- Sedation.
- High blood pressure.
- Nausea or dizziness.
- Headache.
- Blurred vision.
- Anxiety.
How do ketamine and esketamine differ?
While ketamine is an intravenous treatment that may be used off-label to treat depression, esketamine is a nasal spray augmentation treatment that’s been specifically approved by the FDA. The nasal spray is self-administered under the supervision of a licensed clinician and should be used in conjunction with oral antidepressants.
The side effects of esketamine tend to be much milder than those of ketamine treatments. They include feeling removed from the environment around you and your emotions, feeling extra sleepy, and slight increases in blood pressure. These side effects typically only last for a few hours immediately following an esketamine treatment session.
Another key difference between ketamine and esketamine is that esketamine is covered by most insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid. Ketamine is not typically covered by insurance.
Allow Active Path Mental Health to help your treatment-resistant depression with the nasal inhalant esketamine
Major depressive disorder can quickly take control over your life, especially when it isn’t responding to standard modes of treatment. Depression can become overwhelming and affect your relationships, functionality and quality of life. Fortunately, our team of experts at Active Path Mental Health can help you. We’ll help you better manage your depression symptoms. Our team uses methods like TMS therapy, talk therapy and esketamine treatment. While we do not offer ketamine infusions, we do provide the nasal inhalant esketamine for patients with treatment-resistant depression. With us, you’ll get the treatment you need to start looking forward to a brighter future.
Active Path Mental Health is proud to say that patients can receive treatment from locations in both Oregon and Washington. The team members at each one of our locations are dedicated to helping patients recover from their mental health disorders.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
