IV & IM Ketamine

Ketamine Therapy at SayMed
At SayMed, we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality psychiatric care for various issues, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and attention-deficit hyperactive disorder. As a clinic that has a variety of treatment options, ketamine therapy is one of them.

To find if you qualify for ketamine treatments, you can book now for an initial evaluation. Our first appointment will always begin with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation either in person or via telehealth. We will discuss various treatment options during the assessment, including psychotherapy, traditional antidepressants or other oral medications, TMS therapy, or ketamine therapy. We will also review your medical and psychiatric history, determine a diagnosis, and develop a treatment plan. If you have a history of a recent heart attack, stroke, psychosis (hallucinations, delusions), or bladder inflammation (cystitis), you may not be a candidate for ketamine treatment, or you may require clearance from your physician.

Ketamine treatment sessions will require up to two hours in our office. Ketamine can be administered by an IV, a shot or through a nasal spray. Additionally, our offices have VR Ketamine treatments to help build a more calming environment.

Ways we administer ketamine

  • Infusion – An intravenous (IV) drip providing medication directly into the bloodstream over a period of 30-45 minutes.
  • Intramuscular (IM) Injection – A shot administered with a needle into the muscle, typically shoulder.
  • Spravato ® / Esketamine – A nasal spray administered into the nostrils and absorbed through the nasal sinuses.

Spravato / Esketamine

Up to 60 million Americans are estimated to live with depression, of them, one of three do not respond to available treatments. Enter Spravato, a nasal spray considered the biggest breakthrough drug in the battle against depression. THE FDA has approved the use of Esketamine, a relative of the intravenous anesthetic, ketamine, originally approved by the FDA in the 1970’s. This medical breakthrough has the potential to deliver immediate results. With a number of antidepressants we are used to, like Zoloft and Prozac, it takes 4 to 6 weeks to work. Esketamine works within the first week. Marketed under the name Spravato, it is a derivative of ketamine. Our program treats depression with Esketamine, which many consider a form of powerful meditation. The better a patient gets, the less often administration needs to be done. See if you qualify for insurance.

DOES INSURANCE COVER TREATMENT?
Esketamine (Spravato) is almost always covered by insurance, including Medicare, because it is FDA approved and well-studied to be effective and safe. To be considered eligible for insurance coverage for Esketamine (Spravato), a person has to have tried at least two other antidepressants without benefit.

HOW IS SPRAVATO ADMINISTERED?
Spravato is administered as a nasal spray and is inhaled through the nostrils. Patients can administer the nasal spray themselves but must be done under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

Virtual Reality Ketamine

Virtual Reality Assisted Ketamine Therapy
Many first-line treatments for chronic pain and emotional conditions such as depression simply don’t work for most patients. KVR or Ketamine Virtual Reality Therapy has shown to be very promising for those who haven’t had success with traditional medications and therapy.

How It Works
KVR works by interrupting communication between neurons in the brain and the spinal cord, allowing the central nervous system to reset. Patients will lie down in a controlled environment and receive the appropriate dose of Ketamine. A patient will be able to see tranquil environments specifically tailored to their likes to create a calming atmosphere. Others may need more guidance and will have a doctor walking them through guiding them while under the VR.