FAQ

A: In most cases, you do not need to stop using your current medication. In fact, it is encouraged to continue a regimen of antidepressants while you are receiving treatment to improve symptom relief even further if you are suffering from anxiety or depression.

During the infusion, patients may experience mild hallucinations or dissociative feelings (feeling as if you are outside of your body). In addition, patients may experience dizziness, nausea, heightened anxiety, impaired vision and motor control, impaired short term memory, numbness in the extremities, feelings of being ‘high’ or an increased sensitivity to the environment. If uncomfortable, these can be treated during the procedure. Physical symptoms include increased blood pressure and heart rate, both of which are also closely monitored throughout the procedure.

Side effects resulting from the infusion subside after the procedure is over. Side effects between treatments are rare—they are typically present during the procedure and shortly after as the medication lingers in the body.

A: Receiving infusions of low dose Ketamine through IV infusion has not been shown to result in addiction.

A: We ask that you fast for a minimum of 8 hours before the procedure.

A: Unlike traditional drugs, the effects of Ketamine IV therapy are almost immediate. Most of our patients notice improvement during the treatment, while others see improvement a few hours after their first Ketamine infusion.

A: Patients who are not eligible to receive Ketamine Infusions are those with unstable blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, or heart disease. Additionally, patients who have a history of drug abuse or who suffer from illnesses such as schizophrenia are not eligible. To learn more if you or someone you love is a good candidate for ketamine treatment, please call (310) 437-7399 to schedule your free consultation. 

A: At the Pacific Ketamine Group, we offer developed treatment protocols with a current success rate of 80%. In most cases, we offer 4-5 high dose infusions over a 30-day period at a one week intervals. This depends on the patient and our evaluation. We developed this protocol for patient comfort and to minimize disruption to work activities. In addition, intranasal ketamine maintenance is a great way to continue the lasting effects and is provided only to patients who have completed one treatment protocol.

A: The standard four Ketamine IV infusion treatment course costs $2600. Each additional maintenance infusion after the four treatments costs $550. After completion of a course of IV infusions, patients are also offered intranasal or oral ketamine maintenance treatments as a part of the treatment plan.