Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine Therapy
Some people with severe depression don't get better with medicines and talk therapy. They may try several types of treatment without relief.
As a research hospital, Carilion Clinic embraces new and emerging approaches to mental health care. For treatment-resistant depression and related mental health conditions, we offer ketamine therapy.
This supervised in-clinic treatment is effective for many people and works much more quickly when other treatments aren't.
Some people with severe depression don't get better with medicines and talk therapy. They may try several types of treatment without relief.
As a research hospital, Carilion Clinic embraces new and emerging approaches to mental health care. For treatment-resistant depression and related mental health conditions, we offer ketamine therapy.
This supervised in-clinic treatment is effective for many people and works much more quickly when other treatments aren't.
Ketamine is an anesthetic drug used to sedate people during surgical procedures. When used along with therapy sessions, medicines containing ketamine are a fast-acting and effective treatment for hard-to-treat depression.
Many people who get ketamine feel better within hours of treatment. For others, it may take up to 2 weeks to feel the full effects of treatment.
Yet, ketamine doesn't work for everyone. Only about half of people who get ketamine therapy find relief.
Carilion offers 2 types of ketamine therapy:
- Esketamine nasal spray (Spravato): This medicine is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression. We can use it off-label to treat other disorders with depressive symptoms.
- Ketamine intramuscular injection: This is ketamine we inject into you. We can use this medicine off-label to treat certain serious mental health issues that haven't responded to other treatments.
What Is Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine is an anesthetic drug used to sedate people during surgical procedures. When used along with therapy sessions, medicines containing ketamine are a fast-acting and effective treatment for hard-to-treat depression.
Many people who get ketamine feel better within hours of treatment. For others, it may take up to 2 weeks to feel the full effects of treatment.
Yet, ketamine doesn't work for everyone. Only about half of people who get ketamine therapy find relief.
Carilion offers 2 types of ketamine therapy:
- Esketamine nasal spray (Spravato): This medicine is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression. We can use it off-label to treat other disorders with depressive symptoms.
- Ketamine intramuscular injection: This is ketamine we inject into you. We can use this medicine off-label to treat certain serious mental health issues that haven't responded to other treatments.
At Carilion, we may use ketamine therapy for:
- Treatment-resistant depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Bipolar depression
- Symptoms of depression from other mental health conditions
Conditions We Treat With Ketamine Therapy
At Carilion, we may use ketamine therapy for:
- Treatment-resistant depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Bipolar depression
- Symptoms of depression from other mental health conditions
Before moving forward with ketamine therapy, your doctor will ask you to complete our ketamine screening form and bring it to your next visit. Your answers will help them decide if ketamine therapy is right for you.
Who should not get ketamine therapy?
Not everyone can have ketamine therapy. This includes people with:
- A previous bad reaction to anesthesia medicine
- Unstable heart or lung conditions
- Severe hypertension
- Active pregnancy
- Frequent or intense dissociative episodes
- Active substance use disorder, including alcohol and illicit drugs
- Currently taking Suboxone or another opioid medicine
Is Ketamine Therapy Right for Me?
Before moving forward with ketamine therapy, your doctor will ask you to complete our ketamine screening form and bring it to your next visit. Your answers will help them decide if ketamine therapy is right for you.
Who should not get ketamine therapy?
Not everyone can have ketamine therapy. This includes people with:
- A previous bad reaction to anesthesia medicine
- Unstable heart or lung conditions
- Severe hypertension
- Active pregnancy
- Frequent or intense dissociative episodes
- Active substance use disorder, including alcohol and illicit drugs
- Currently taking Suboxone or another opioid medicine
You'll get your ketamine treatments at one of Carilion's outpatient psychiatry clinics. You may have 6 – 10 treatments over 4 – 6 weeks. Your visit, including the treatment, session, and recovery, can last up to 2 hours.
Before
Before your ketamine treatments, you'll meet with the clinic psychiatrist to review your current medicines. Do not use any alcohol or any illicit drugs during the weeks you're having ketamine treatments.
Do not drive yourself to treatment. You need to have someone drive you home from treatment.
During
On the day of your visit, you'll check in, and the care team will show you to the procedure area. If you're taking esketamine nasal spray therapy, you'll spray yourself. The care team will show you how.
If you're on intramuscular ketamine therapy, a clinician will give you the injection.
After the spray or shot, you'll relax in our recovery area. A nurse will watch you for any signs of serious side effects for up to 2 hours.
After
After your session, you'll need a ride home. You should feel calm and peaceful. Plan a quiet night, and get plenty of fluids.
What Should I Expect?
You'll get your ketamine treatments at one of Carilion's outpatient psychiatry clinics. You may have 6 – 10 treatments over 4 – 6 weeks. Your visit, including the treatment, session, and recovery, can last up to 2 hours.
Before
Before your ketamine treatments, you'll meet with the clinic psychiatrist to review your current medicines. Do not use any alcohol or any illicit drugs during the weeks you're having ketamine treatments.
Do not drive yourself to treatment. You need to have someone drive you home from treatment.
During
On the day of your visit, you'll check in, and the care team will show you to the procedure area. If you're taking esketamine nasal spray therapy, you'll spray yourself. The care team will show you how.
If you're on intramuscular ketamine therapy, a clinician will give you the injection.
After the spray or shot, you'll relax in our recovery area. A nurse will watch you for any signs of serious side effects for up to 2 hours.
After
After your session, you'll need a ride home. You should feel calm and peaceful. Plan a quiet night, and get plenty of fluids.
Ketamine therapy isn't for everyone. Ketamine therapy can leave you feeling drowsy and confused. You may have side effects, including anxiety or panic attacks, and stomach issues, among others.
Risks and Side Effects of Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine therapy isn't for everyone. Ketamine therapy can leave you feeling drowsy and confused. You may have side effects, including anxiety or panic attacks, and stomach issues, among others.
Carilion has a long history of using new and emerging mental health treatments, including ketamine therapy. Through these treatments, there's real hope and help for severe depression and other disorders.
Integrated care
We work with your primary care team and other experts to provide the best care. We find the best approaches for you, including medicines, therapy, and lifestyle changes.
Why Choose Carilion Clinic?
Carilion has a long history of using new and emerging mental health treatments, including ketamine therapy. Through these treatments, there's real hope and help for severe depression and other disorders.
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Get Care at Carilion Clinic
Don't let mental health stigma keep you from getting the care you need. Whether you're struggling with emotions or substance use, we encourage you to reach out. We can provide real help and hope.
Get Care at Carilion Clinic
Don't let mental health stigma keep you from getting the care you need. Whether you're struggling with emotions or substance use, we encourage you to reach out. We can provide real help and hope.
Get Care at Carilion Clinic
Don't let mental health stigma keep you from getting the care you need. Whether you're struggling with emotions or substance use, we encourage you to reach out. We can provide real help and hope.
Get Care at Carilion Clinic
Don't let mental health stigma keep you from getting the care you need. Whether you're struggling with emotions or substance use, we encourage you to reach out. We can provide real help and hope.