Is Ketamine Therapy Safe?

Ketamine has gained a lot of attention in recent years for its use in managing treatment-resistant depression and other mental health issues, as well as some types of chronic pain. Although it’s widely used for those issues, many people aren’t sure how it works or whether it’s a safe choice for their needs.

Sarah Wilczewski, CRNA, APNP, is a skilled, experienced ketamine provider offering custom infusion therapies for patients at Revival Infusion Madison. Learn more about ketamine’s use and its safety profile so you can decide if infusions might be a good choice for you.

A brief history of ketamine

Developed about 70 years ago in the 1950s, FDA approval came in 1970 when it was used regularly as an anesthetic during the Vietnam War. Since then, ketamine has been used in a variety of surgical settings and different patient populations, too. 

Ketamine is highly regarded as a surgical anesthetic because, unlike some other agents, it doesn’t interfere with a patient’s blood pressure or breathing reflexes. Researchers consider it safe enough to use in pediatric patients and patients with asthma and other breathing issues.

Known as a dissociative anesthetic, ketamine can cause hallucinations at higher doses used for anesthesia. It’s this characteristic that led to ketamine’s eventual popularity as a “club drug” where it was known as “special k.” From then on, ketamine has suffered from a sullied reputation and a lot of misunderstanding about its actual benefits when provided in a medical setting.

Rethinking ketamine

In recent years, though, researchers have reevaluated ketamine’s use at even lower doses — specifically, amounts too low to cause hallucinations but strong enough to treat resistant types of depression, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and anxiety.

For those indications, ketamine is administered like any other medicine, using a specific dosing strategy based on substantial scientific research and clinical trials. Our team also provides ongoing monitoring throughout each infusion session for added safety and peace of mind.

Potential side effects

While ketamine therapy is safe and effective for both surgery and in an outpatient setting, it can sometimes cause side effects during treatment, and knowing about those side effects ahead of time can go a long way toward helping you feel more confident about your therapy. Potential side effects can vary from one person to another and may include: 

• Dizziness
• Sensations of “floating”
• Euphoria
• Mild nausea

Afterward, it’s common to feel drowsy, and you should have someone on hand to drive you home. You should also plan to relax for the rest of the day and avoid driving or using heavy machinery.

When ketamine is not recommended

Like a lot of medications, you shouldn’t have ketamine therapy if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, if you’ve shown sensitivity to ketamine in the past, or if you’ve been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Because ketamine can elevate blood pressure, people with hypertension or related health issues may not be ideal candidates, either.

Find out more about ketamine therapy

Ketamine therapy can be a game-changer for anyone suffering from treatment-resistant mental health issues or chronic pain. To learn more about therapy and whether you’re a good candidate, book an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Revival Infusion Madison in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, today.