Main Menu
  • Services
Search
Close this search box.

Ketamine For Depression

Ketamine Header

Ketamine Depression Treatment

Originally used as an anesthetic, ketamine is now being extensively studied for its impact on depression.

Controlled doses of ketamine can act quickly to reduce the debilitating symptoms associated with depression. This drug provides profound and durable antidepressant effects for patients.

Intranasal ketamine has shown particularly positive results in addressing depressive symptoms, emerging as a prominent method of delivering the drug effectively.

Table of Contents

Ketamine Nasal Spray

Nasal sprays containing ketamine have become increasingly prevalent as a treatment for depression. In fact, the FDA has approved Spravato as a ketamine-based nasal spray for depression.

This nasal spray can be used in conjunction with antidepressant medicines or for patients who have treatment-resistant depression.

The sprays must be administered in a medical setting under the supervision of a doctor. However, this requirement can be inconvenient, as it expects patients to frequently visit the doctor’s office.

Compounded Nasal Spray

ClearSpring Pharmacy compounds ketamine nasal sprays for patients, allowing them to take the medication in their homes.

The spray is customized to meet the patient’s needs, including prescription strength and base ingredients.

The most common prescription strength is 150 mg/ml, but it can go as high as 175 mg/ml. Any higher, and the compound may not hold correctly. 

With preservatives, the spray can last the full 30 days prescribed. Sprays without preservatives will last around 17-21 days before losing stability. 

While intranasal ketamine is less effective than intravenous ketamine, it offers a simpler and more user-friendly administration method.

With the proper precautions in place, patients can conveniently make use of ketamine nasal sprays at an affordable price.

Ketamine Nasal Spray

Ketamine vs. SSRIs

Ketamine takes a different approach compared to traditional medications when alleviating depression.

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are commonly prescribed to help treat depressive symptoms. They work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain through the inhibition of serotonin reabsorption (reuptake) in neurons.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter linked to feelings of calmness and positivity. By blocking its reuptake, SSRIs ensure more serotonin remains available in the brain, enhancing these “good feelings.”

Ketamine does not influence serotonin but instead interacts with glutamate. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that helps with learning, memory, and the development of neural connections in our brain. This may explain why many people succeed with ketamine after failing with SSRIs.

Additionally, ketamine works faster than SSRIs. Many patients experience an improvement in their depressive symptoms within 24 hours of induction, while SSRIs may take months to take effect.

Ketamine & SSRIs

Key Differences Between Ketamine & SSRIs

Actuation Time

SSRIs can take up to 2–4 weeks to show results. Ketamine will show effects within 24 hours of taking the drug.

Neurotransmitters

SSRIs work by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. Ketamine affects glutamate.

Accessibility

SSRIs are more commonly prescribed. Ketamine is still being studied and has limitations to the way it is administered and prescribed.

Neurotransmitters

Ketamine for Depression Side Effects

Like any other drug, ketamine is not without its side effects.

The most prevalent is the brief euphoric reaction felt after taking ketamine. Depending on the dose and administration method, this hallucinogenic state may last between 30 minutes to 2 hours.

This may lead to mental side effects, including:
  • Decreased focus
  • Dizziness
  • Dissociation
  • Forgetfulness
  • Lack of physical coordination
  • Confusion
  • Addiction

Ketamine may also have some physical side effects, such as:
  • Double vision
  • Impaired motor function
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Insomnia
  • Slowed breathing
  • Excessive saliva production
  • Akathisia

Compounding prescriptions allows us to add medications that help relieve some of ketamine’s side effects.

Ketamine for Depression Side Effects
Green Leaf

Ketamine for Depression in Denver, Colorado

Depression can be an extremely debilitating condition. The chemistry in our brains heavily influences this mental health condition.

Ketamine has shown the ability to help patients with treatment-resistant depression, including those who have not succeeded with SSRIs.

Please feel free to contact ClearSpring Pharmacy for more information regarding ketamine. You can call our Littleton or Denver location and fill out the form on this page.

Don’t like phone calls? Text us!
Littleton: 303-707-1500
Cherry Creek: 303-333-2010

You may also message us on any of our social media profiles. Get in touch with us today!

Facebook Instagram Linkedin Tiktok
Centered & Cropped Logo
Cherry Creek
201 University Blvd. #105 Denver, CO 80206
Call/Text: 303-333-2010
Fax: 303-333-2208
HOURS

Monday – Friday: 10AM – 6PM
Saturday: 10AM – 2PM

Littleton

8031 Southpark Circle Suite B
Littleton, CO 80120

Call/Text: 303-707-1500
Fax: 303-707-1717
HOURS

Monday – Friday: 9AM – 6PM
Saturday: 9AM – 1PM

Long-Term Care
8031 Southpark Circle Suite A Littleton, CO 80120
Call/Text: 303-795-4300
Fax: 303-795-5849
HOURS
Monday – Friday: 8AM – 5PM
Follow Us
Facebook Tiktok Instagram Linkedin
ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
SITEMAP

DISCLAIMER: A prescription from a licensed practitioner is required for compounded medications.

The content and photographs on this website are copyrighted or licensed material and may not be downloaded for other than personal use. Retransmission, republication, reproduction, or any other use of the content or photographs is prohibited.

©ClearSpring Pharmacy
Website Development by Storey Marketing