What to expect
First Treatment
During your first treatment, we will review your past medical history, discuss ketamine, go over your treatment plan and goals, and review the risks and benefits of the procedure. Our team will be sure to answer all of your questions so you are informed and feel comfortable.
Treatment Protocol
Patients typically receive a series of 6 infusions over the course of approximately two weeks for mood disorders. Each infusion lasts 45-55 minutes, but please allow 1.5 hours for your entire visit. Clinical trials have consistently shown a 70-75% success rate with this approach. At Innovative Ketamine, we have seen an 80% patient success rate. IV ketamine treatment does require booster infusions to keep patients symptom-free. Booster infusions are typically done once a month after the completion of your initial six treatment series.
We understand that it can be difficult to make time for so many appointments in the first two weeks, however this scientific protocol offers the highest success rate. With the exception of your first treatment, you will be able to return to work an hour after your treatment concludes.
Please note, you cannot be behind the wheel (no driving) after your infusion. Please arrange for a ride, or call an Uber, Lyft or Taxi to get you home. Driving under the influence of a controlled substance is illegal and will result in immediate dismissal of care from Innovative Ketamine.
During your Infusion
We allow a guest to be with you, however, this is a very personal decision. Some people can be comforting and helpful, whereas others may increase anxiety. Dr. Khare feels it is best to be alone for treatment, as it is the patient’s personal journey, however we leave this decision up to you. Innovative Ketamine has a comfortable waiting room where your friend/family member can wait. If a patient chooses to have a guest in the room with them during their infusion, we ask the guest to simply sit quietly, not interrupting the infusion by talking or moving.
Day of infusion
Please wear comfortable, loose clothing so we are able to easily place the cardiac monitor leads under your shirt.
- Try to come to the appointment in a good state (non-stressed).
- We provide you with a clean blanket and noise cancelling headphones with soothing music for your infusion
- You will be placed on a very comfortable La-Z-Boy recliner
We will pretreat you with nausea medication (Zofran) when you first arrive, as Ketamine can cause nausea in some patients. For this reason, it’s also best to avoid eating just before you arrive. Plan to eat something light at least two hours prior to your infusion.
Most people find the ketamine infusion experience to be pleasant. Infusions are given in private, spa-like rooms. Patients do not usually sleep as the dose given is lower than an anesthetic dose, but you do go into a dream-like state (in-between dreaming and being awake, where you can control the dream). The infusion for mood disorders generally lasts about 45 minutes, while for pain disorders, infusions may be up to 3 hours.
Most effects of the medicine wear off within minutes after the infusion, but patients may feel more tired than usual for a few hours following their visit. Ketamine is generally well-tolerated, but if any side effects are encountered such as visual disturbances or elevated blood pressure, our staff will quickly give IV medications to counteract them.
Induction Infusions
Patients typically receive a series of 6 infusions over the course of approximately two weeks for mood disorders. Each infusion typically lasts about 45-55 minutes. Most clinical trials have consistently shown a 70-75% success rate with this approach, however at Innovative Ketamine, we are seeing an 80% success rate. The treatment does require booster infusions as time passes to keep the effect going and to keep patients symptom-free. These boosters are the same duration and are usually done once a month.
Maintenance Infusions
The duration of symptom relief can be variable after your series of six infusions is complete. Most patients will feel well for 1 month, but some can respond for up to 2-3 months. Single booster infusions can be scheduled to achieve symptom relief again, and generally, are made monthly. It’s important to make these booster infusion appointments so you do not have symptoms return. We do use Nasal Ketamine to help prolong the monthly IV Ketamine needed. We can discuss this protocol at your first consultation.
