How Often Will I Need to Get Ketamine Infusions?

Once you’ve completed your first ketamine treatment and are feeling much better, you may be wondering how long the relief will last and whether you should schedule more infusions. Read on to learn more about what ketamine is, how it helps with relief from symptoms of anxiousness, and how often you’ll need to get infusions.  

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine has been around and approved by the FDA for decades as an anesthetic for surgeries. It has been used for that purpose in animals, children, and adults. Although it’s not yet approved, ketamine has recently been found to be a highly effective treatment for anxiousness and panic, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, and other mood and pain disorders. More recently, the anxiety ketamine clinic has emerged as a source for treatment, as accredited clinicians and therapists put the drug’s well-studied effects into treatment plans.

Are the Treatment Results Sustainable?

A significant reduction of symptoms generally occurs with the first infusion and lasts a few days. The initial course of treatments consists of six to ten infusions, along with counseling sessions that you’ll typically take over the course of three to four weeks. The expected outcome is that you will feel relief from most, if not all, of your symptoms related to anxiety and depression. 

By taking a combination of infusions in a series and maintenance treatments periodically, you should be able to sustain the treatment results. As a general rule, subsequent infusions result in greater, longer-lasting results. After the initial set of six treatments, patients may then go several weeks between treatments with sustained, significant symptom reduction. 

Some patients may require periodic “boosters.” These patients will come in every three to four weeks to receive two booster treatments, which will include, as always, an infusion along with the necessary counseling. Other patients are instructed to get in touch if and when they feel their symptoms creeping back up. They could schedule anywhere from two to six booster infusions if this happens. 

When Should You Schedule More Treatments?

Many patients slow their ketamine treatments as their symptoms improve. Even if they feel so good that they want to suspend their treatments, they will most likely want to return for more eventually. Every individual and treatment plan is different. Consider scheduling additional treatments if your symptoms have subsided and you feel them starting to creep back in. In most cases, ongoing maintenance treatments are given indefinitely every four to six weeks.