12 Feb How Ketamine Injections Work
Integrated Pain Consultants is offering ketamine injections for pain management. This safe and effective medication has been used for decades, and at Integrated Pain Consultants, staff are well-trained and experienced in ketamine injections. We also invite you to learn more about Dr. Nikesh Seth and other providers including Dr. Anne-Marie Cosijns, Dr. Lisa Sparks, Dr. Michael Givens, and our team of Nurse Practitioners.
What Is Ketamine?
Patients receive small doses of the medication. Tolerance will build up over time, but will also diminish quickly. Unlike some other pain management medications, like opioids, ketamine does not tap the addiction centers of the brain. If you’ve heard of the street version of ketamine, a “party drug,” it’s important to know that illicit ketamine is wildly different than ketamine injections in a medical setting. The two drugs might not even be closely related.
What to Expect During a Ketamine Injection
When getting a ketamine injection, it’s a relaxing experience. You may fall asleep, or simply be in a drowsy state. Depending on the treatment and patient’s choice, ketamine injections might be combined with light sedatives. Every experience is unique, but most patients say they feel relaxed, calm, and sometimes euphoric. It takes five minutes to feel the effects, and a medical professional will be with the patient for the entire treatment. Most visits last around four hours, with the infusion itself lasting three hours.
There are two parts to a ketamine infusion treatment. The first is stabilization followed by maintenance. Stabilization is a series of appointments that help to work off previous treatments in order to overcome tolerance buildup. Maintenance is a series of individual treatments lasting up to 30 days post-stabilization.
Side effects of Ketamine Infusions are mild and rare, but may include nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and temporary disassociation. However, ketamine is the only anesthetic that doesn’t slow the cardiovascular and respiratory functions.
Ketamine Infusions at Integrated Pain Consultants
At Integrated Pain Consultants, our goal is complete patient care. Ketamine infusions may help to decrease pain and provides an alternative to opioid drugs. To learn more, schedule your appointment online with Integrated Pain Consultants today. Call (480) 626-2552 to get started.