Ketamine is a medication originally developed as an anesthetic for surgeries. It is also used for pain management and has been found effective in treating mental health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and severe anxiety. Ketamine works by affecting the neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain.

Is ketamine an opioid?

No, ketamine is not an opioid. It is classified as a dissociative anesthetic and works by affecting the neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain.

What is ketamine used for?

Ketamine is used for anesthesia during surgery, pain management, and treating mental health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and severe anxiety.

Is ketamine addictive?

Yes, ketamine can be addictive if misused, but the risk is lower when administered in a controlled, medical setting by a mental healthcare professional such as a PA, psychiatry nurse practitioner or psychiatrist.

Who is not a good candidate for ketamine therapy?

Individuals with a history of substance abuse, certain cardiovascular conditions, or uncontrolled high blood pressure may not be good candidates for ketamine therapy.

Who is a good candidate for ketamine therapy?

A good candidate for ketamine therapy is someone with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, severe anxiety, or chronic pain who has not responded well to traditional treatments.

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Oral Ketamine Treatment

Oral Ketamine: An Innovative Approach to Mental Health Management

Oral ketamine is a groundbreaking health care treatment for a variety of mental health problems effecting your daily life. This page provides an overview of how oral ketamine works, its benefits, contraindications, at-home delivery, as well as its potential advantages over Spravato. It is important to note that while oral ketamine is an FDA off-label treatment for the following conditions, it has shown promising results for PTSD, anxiety, depression, chronic pain relief, and OCD.

What is Ketamine and How Does It Work?

Ketamine was first created as an anesthetic in the 1960s. It works by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain. This causes an increase in a chemical called glutamate, which is found in brain cells. This glutamate is also called a neurotransmitter and is important for brain communication and function. More glutamate activity helps improve mood and brain functions, which can quickly decrease signs and symptoms of mental health issues.

Benefits of Oral Ketamine

Clinical studies have shown that oral ketamine has demonstrated significant benefits in the treatment of various mental health and medical conditions. It is particularly helpful for those that are resistant to conventional treatment plans.

Mental Health Benefits

Depression: Rapid relief of depressive symptoms, often within hours to days.
PTSD: Reduction in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, including flashbacks and anxiety.
Anxiety: Improve or eliminate anxiety symptoms, providing a sense of calm and well-being.
OCD: Improvement in obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms by reducing intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

Reasons Not To Take Oral Ketamine

While oral ketamine is beneficial for many people, it is not a suitable mental health treatment for everyone. Certain conditions and factors may prohibit its use.

Unwanted side effects, such as tiredness or elevated blood pressure.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Not recommended because of potential risks to the fetus.
Uncontrolled Hypertension: Ketamine can increase blood pressure, posing risks for those with hypertension.
History of Substance Abuse: Potential for abuse and dependence necessitates caution in individuals with a history of substance abuse.
Severe Heart Disease Conditions: May exacerbate heart conditions due to its cardiovascular blood pressure effects.
Psychotic Disorders: Can worsen symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders if not stable.

Oral ketamine represents a promising treatment option for a range of mental health conditions. It is particularly helpful for those who have not responded to traditional therapies. Its unique way of working makes it a great alternative to other treatments. The convenience of online appointments makes getting better even easier.

How Does At-Home Oral Ketamine Work?

Starter Series

4 Sessions Over 2 Weeks

Continuing Series

8 At-Home Ketamine Sessions

Pricing

Currently oral ketamine is not a covered benefit by any insurance plan for mental health conditions because it is regarded as an “off-label” use for disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, and PTSD. The good news is that oral ketamine is relatively cheap ($3-5 per pill), and your insurance will typically still pay for you to see your licensed provider for the treatment. CareCredit.com as well as other credit cards may be an option for patients who qualify.

Spravato and Ketamine Compared

While both oral ketamine and Spravato (esketamine) offer significant benefits, there are several reasons why oral ketamine might be considered over Spravato for some patients.

Advantages of Oral Ketamine

Medicine Delivery: Oral ketamine can be prescribed by a mental health professional and taken at home or in the office. This provides greater convenience compared to Spravato, which requires administration in a clinical office setting.
Cost-Effectiveness: Generally, oral ketamine can be more affordable than Spravato, depending on insurance reimbursement.
Dosing Flexibility: Oral ketamine allows for more precise dosing adjustments tailored to individual patient needs.
Ease of Access: Virtual visit options make oral ketamine accessible to more people. It is especially helpful for those in remote areas.
More Coverage Options: Oral Ketamine can be used to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and chronic pain. In contrast, Spravato can only be currently used to treat symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation.

FDA Off-Label Treatment

Oral ketamine is used off-label for several mental health conditions. Off-label use means that while it is not specifically approved by the FDA to treat a problem, substantial evidence supports its efficacy and safety (see further resources below).

Conditions Treated Off-Label with oral Ketamine

PTSD: Effective in reducing symptoms and improving overall functioning.
Anxiety: Provides rapid relief from generalized anxiety and panic disorders.
Depression: Particularly beneficial for treatment-resistant depression.
Chronic Pain: Alleviates various forms of chronic pain, improving quality of life.
OCD: Reduces the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Mental Health Treatment For long-term Success

At Pine Ridge Mental Healthcare, we’ve found success using a variety of approaches to mental health disorders. Getting your mental health under control is a key step in managing your life. This section discusses oral ketamine in detail. If you are interested in finding out more about Spravato, then simply click below.

Our team works to reduce reliance on medications by educating about the different tools available and how life situations can affect mood. And we help keep you on track with regular check-ins to monitor your health.

For more information about mental health disorders or for help managing another health goal, schedule an appointment online or over the phone at Pine Ridge Mental Healthcare. If you are interested in other services we provide, check out our services page.

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Ketamine Further Reading

Depression Definition and DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria
Bipolar Disorder News – Pendulum.org
Depression and How Therapy Can Help
Depression Screening
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
At-Home Sublingual Ketamine is Safe and Effective
Ketamine and Esketamine Augmentation for Suicidal Ideation
Sex Differences In Response to Ketamine
The Efficacy of Oral Ketamine in Severely Depressed Patients
Features of Dissociation Differentially Predict Antidepressant Response to Ketamine
Efficacy and Safety of Oral Ketamine