Ketamine infusion therapy offers a safe, evidence based option for people who have not found relief through conventional treatments. Originally used as an anaesthetic, ketamine infusion therapy is now widely recognised for its powerful effects in treating chronic pain, mood disorders and trauma when used under medical supervision.
View our blog articles on ketamine infusion assisted therapies and our partner clinic AKAP
At your first appointment, your doctor will recommend and discuss treatment options that are tailored to your unique needs. A recommendation may include a Ketamine infusion. If so, the benefits and risks of this option will be discussed with you.
Ketamine is an anaesthetic medication, which in very small doses can be used to help control pain that does not respond to standard therapies. It has been used in Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine for many years. Ketamine infusion therapy can help reduce your pain intensity and break your pain cycle. Better pain control can help your body to recover, allowing you to get back to what you enjoy doing faster.
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Ketamine therapy will not work for everyone, but for those who respond well, it can offer significant relief. Our doctors will determine your suitability and advise you on whether you are likely to benefit from this treatment.
Ketamine infusions have been used safely by Pain Specialists for many years. Pain Specialists have undergone many years of medical training to be able to safely administer these medications. It is important to undergo medical assessment prior to the infusion to determine your suitability for the infusion. In suitable patients, they are a low-risk, minimally invasive option that can help manage your pain. It is important to be aware that Ketamine infusions are not first line treatment option for pain management, and are an option when more conventional treatments have failed.
Your doctor will discuss the duration of your ketamine infusion with you. The length of your infusion will depend on the nature of your pain, if you have had previous infusions and how well you tolerated the treatment.
Ketamine infusions are administered in hospital. You will be admitted as an in-patient at one of our affiliated private hospitals. This is to enable us to closely monitor you for the duration of the infusion.
Once the hospital admission process is complete, your Ketamine infusion is given to you using a pre-programmed pump under the direction of your Pain Specialist. Your vital signs and pain levels will be periodically checked by the nursing staff looking after you for the duration of the treatment. They will liaise closely with your treating doctor about your progress and to address any concerns that arise during your treatment.
In some cases, an one-off treatment may be effective in breaking your pain cycle which can lead to long lasting relief. However, pain treatments are not curative and repeat infusions can be given and may be offered to you depending on your treatment response.
Ketamine is avoided or used with extreme caution in the following groups of patients.
Ketamine infusions have been used safely by Pain Specialists and the procedure is largely well tolerated.
Common side effects include:
Rarer side effects include.
If the side effects continue or you are worried about your response, please let the nurses looking after you know, and they can contact your doctor for further advice.