Ketamine infusion therapy is generally considered safe when administered by trained medical professionals in a controlled setting. RISE integrated mental health providers developed intensive screening and treatment safety protocols to maximize safe  patient outcomes.  However, like any medical treatment, it carries potential risks and side effects, including dissociation, increased blood pressure, and nausea. Patients are continuously monitored for potential side effects requiring intervention. Intravenous access allows for rapid treatment of side effects.

Depression and PTSD change the neural pathways, or the circuitry of the brain, causing thoughts to be repetitive and stuck. Ketamine allows for new connections in the neural pathways to rapidly form, rerouting thought patterns and offering relief when other medications have failed. These changes can happen right away, with the first infusion treatment. Relief is possible in hours or days as opposed to weeks or months with traditional antidepressants.

Unlike other forms of treatment, there are no absolute requirements for patients to be considered for IV ketamine therapy. A careful medical and psychological screening process takes place before any treatment begins. Because the treatment can be carefully titrated, we can monitor and treat conditions that may otherwise prevent a patient from qualifying for other administration forms.

Ketamine is not a first-line treatment for depression. Patients unable to tolerate side effects of or found limited relief in traditional medications may find relief with ketamine. Ketamine therapy may also be indicated for patients with limited relief from TMS or other therapies. In addition, patients who have severe symptoms of mental illness with threats to their health and safety may find relief more quickly than with other treatments.

A growing body of research shows excellent outcomes for patients with depression, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and OCD. Studies are underway for other indications including aiding recovery from substance use disorders, alcohol use disorder, and postpartum depression. Ketamine therapy is also used to treat chronic pain conditions. Rise integrated mental health does not offer treatment for chronic pain at this time, however patients with co-occurring chronic pain often report improvement in pain scores overall.

Ketamine therapy is offered in a safe, calming environment outside of a hospital setting. Prospective patients may request a free 15 minute screening call with one of our providers to determine eligibility. Patients will then meet with our psychiatrist and medical provider for an evaluation and to prescribe an individualized treatment plan. Once patients are cleared to begin treatment, our scheduling team will be in touch and treatment typically begins within a week.

It's important to note that most side effects are generally mild to moderate and transient, typically  resolving shortly after the infusion ends. Our patients are monitored closely for any potential adverse reactions and treatment is prompt. We offer both medical and non-invasive preventative measures for patients likely to experience uncomfortable side effects. The most common side effects include nausea, blurry vision, headache, fatigue, mild to moderate elevations in blood pressure and heart rate, and feeling disoriented, dissociated or “drunk” for a short period of time. We treat nausea, headache, and disorientation with oral and intravenous medications. Potentially dangerous side effects include significantly elevated blood pressure and heart rate which rarely require treatment outside of our clinic’s capabilities.

Ketamine therapy is offered in a safe, calming environment outside of a hospital setting that allows for the most efficient delivery of care. Prior to each infusion treatment a psychiatric provider reviews most recent index scores and meets with each patient. This allows for ongoing assessment and prescription of any treatment modifications. IV placement and infusion duration typically lasts 45 minutes. Recovery from the infusion varies greatly for each individual, ranging from 15 minutes to over an hour. For first time infusions, patients should plan on two hours at the clinic. Subsequent infusions are typically shorter.

Patients may see results after the first infusion including increased energy levels, improved sleep, relief of some depressive symptoms, and reduction of thoughts of self harm. To reach full benefit of treatment, the  first series of treatments typically require eight infusions over a one month period, twice a week for four weeks. While 85% of patients are considered responders with sustained relief of greater than 50% of symptoms, some patients will be resistant to ketamine treatment as well. Working with our providers to optimize treatment outcomes starts before the first infusion and continues in aftercare as well. We recommend a minimum of three treatments to assess if an individual will respond to treatment.

RISE integrated mental health accepts several major insurance carriers but coverage is still quite limited. Some insurers may cover infusions for certain conditions when other treatments have failed, while others may consider it experimental and not offer coverage. If your insurer does not cover infusion treatments, we provide an itemized superbill to submit to the insurer for reimbursement for each treatment. The rate of reimbursement varies based on out of network benefits.

Each treatment is $800; this includes a psychiatric check in and all costs associated with monitoring and administration of the infusion. Patients should expect to receive 8 treatments in the initial series. Patients with financial hardship may apply for financial assistance through RISE integrated mental health.

Patients are encouraged to abstain from alcohol and marijuana during treatment. Patients using benzodiazepines as well as certain medications will develop an individualized plan for the duration of treatment as some medications interact with or counteract the effects of ketamine treatments. It is important to discuss all prescription and non prescription substances with our providers to maximize treatment efficacy and avoid medication interactions.

During a ketamine infusion session, you'll be comfortably seated or lying down in the treatment room. We suggest low lighting, headphones or music, and an eye mask for comfort. We offer weighted blankets as well. Our skilled nursing team will start an IV and administer a controlled dose of ketamine intravenously over a period of 40 minutes to an hour, depending on the patient’s individualized protocol. Each patient is carefully  monitored throughout the session for any adverse effects.