Ketamine Intervention Program for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Related topics: Depression, mood and anxiety Mental health Mental health and substance use Vancouver mental health and substance use services
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The outpatient Ketamine Intervention Program helps adults who have not benefited from other antidepressants and therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD).
What to expect
Ketamine is a medication used as an anesthetic and as a treatment for depression. At low doses, ketamine is highly effective medication for adults who have not benefited from other antidepressants and therapy for TRD.
Generally, ketamine is not used by itself to treat depression; it is used to accelerate the antidepressant effect of the other treatments, which can help change pathways in the brain.
Resources
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Patient brochure
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Eligibility
Adults who have not benefited from other antidepressants and therapy for TRD may be eligible for the Ketamine Intervention Program.
This treatment is not suitable for individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding or those with:
- Allergies to ketamine or related compounds
- Certain psychiatric conditions
- A history of ketamine use disorder
- Alcohol or substance use disorder within the past six months
- Certain antidepressant medications such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors
- Dementia or delirium
- Certain heart conditions
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Recent seizures
- A history of increased intracranial pressure
