Risks and side effects
“Ketamine is not currently FDA approved for treatment of depression or anxiety and is an off label usage for these indications. (There are a lot medications “approved” by the FDA for one thing, and utilized for other “off-label” medical issues.)
Side effects may include: anxiety, altered sense of time, transient synesthesia (mixing of senses for example: hearing colors, seeing sounds, or feeling shapes), loss of appetite, increased blood pressure and heart rate, blurred vision, increased intraocular and intracranial pressure. diminished ability of senses, slurred speech, restlessness, confusion, nausea/vomiting, nystagmus and excitability.”
FDA safety Information
Uncontrolled/untreated hypertension (high blood pressure)
Congestive heart failure or other impaired cardiac status (heart disease)
Severe COPD (severe breathing problems)
Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders
Severe personality disorders
Seizure disorders
Personal or family history of psychosis or mania
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Allergy to ketamine
History of increased intraocular or intracranial pressure
Other serious medical illnesses
Pregnancy, trying to become pregnant, or breast feeding
The following conditions can be CONTRAINDICATIONS and make you ineligible for ketamine assisted therapy:
Lasting adverse effects are rare when carefully following prescribed medical protocols.
Ketamine has not been shown to be physically addictive, but a small percentage of frequent(people who use this drug multiple times per day, everyday), recreational users have shown psychological addiction or dependency.
Rarely, in frequent users, there have been reports of increased frequency of urinating, decreased urination, bladder pain, pain with urination, blood in the urine, and bladder inflammation.
Emergence reactions are possible. People may have disturbing thoughts when coming out of the experience. These reactions are typically seen in hospital settings where patients are undergoing painful procedures.
Dissociative effects and cognitive fog may increase patient vulnerability and the risk of accidents.
Possible lowered threshold of seizures.
Nausea and vomiting.
Known side effects
Do not drive or operate machinery after a ketamine experience until you have had a full night’s sleep
You must have a person known to you pick you up from a ketamine appointment
Refrain from taking benzodiazepines and stimulants 24 hours prior to a treatment (make sure your physician is aware of ALL of your medications, prescribed or otherwise)
Continue to take antihypertensives (blood pressure medication) as prescribed
Refrain from eating 4-6 hours prior to a ketamine session. No liquids an hour before the session.