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
Need help immediately?
If there is a life-threatening safety concern, please call 9-1-1 or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
Suicide prevention hotline: 1-800-784-2433
BC Crisis Line: 604-310-6789
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Indigenous Crisis and Support Line - KUU-US Crisis Support Line: 1-800-588-8717
Harm reduction: Toward the Heart
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
-
-
Patient brochure
-
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
Find this service near you
-
Ketamine Intervention Program at Squamish General Hospital
38140 Behrner Drive Squamish -
Ketamine Intervention Program at UBC Hospital
Detwiller Pavilion, UBC Hospital 2255 Wesbrook Mall Vancouver