More doctors and patients every day are embracing Ketamine infusion therapy. Studies have proven that ketamine infusions are an effective method of treatment for multiple mental disorders. But as it becomes more popular more people ask us whether or not the medications they’re taking will impact how successful their ketamine infusions will be.

Certain medications will interfere with ketamine infusion therapy while others won’t influence it at all. Always provide your doctor will a complete list of medications you are taking so they can best advise you, but here are the medications that do and don’t interfere with this treatment.

Medications That Interfere With Ketamine Infusions

There are some medications that can impact how effective ketamine infusion therapy is. The following medications can impact ketamine’s efficiency:

• Benzodiazepines: High doses of benzo may reduce the effectiveness of ketamine’s antidepressant effect. If you’re prescribed a benzo, such as Klonopin, Xanax, and Ativan, your doctor may reduce your dosage before beginning treatment.
• Lamotrigine: Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant medication helpful in treating epilepsy and bipolar disorder. For bipolar disorder, the drug works by delaying or reducing manic, depressive, or rapid cycling episodes.
• Memantine: Memantine is an NMDA blocker. Because it affects NMDA receptors it impacts ketamine’s efficiency.
• Any drug that affects NMDA receptors

Even though these medications may impact ketamine’s efficiency you should never decrease the dosage or stop taking the medication without a doctor’s direct order. When you arrive for an initial consultation your doctor will look at your list of medications and advise you on any necessary changes. Never hide any medication from your doctors as this could result in the treatment not working or other dangerous consequences.

Medications That Don’t Interfere With Ketamine Infusions

The good news is that most psychiatric medications don’t interfere with ketamine infusions. There is no evidence that antidepressant medications impact ketamine’s effectiveness. Ketamine infusions can actually provide relief from symptoms while patients wait for their antidepressant medication to begin working.

Conclusion

The good news is that most medications won’t impact ketamine’s efficiency in treating their mental disorder. Those that do have an impact can usually be reduced for the two treatments to work together. Always disclose all medications to your doctor including prescription, over the counter, and illegal drugs you are taking.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or want to see if you are a good candidate for ketamine infusion therapy.