When it comes to depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders, solutions like cognitive behavioral therapy sometimes aren’t enough on their own.
As a pharmaceutical intervention, racemic ketamine has proven to be a revolutionary therapeutic option. With minimal side effects under a controlled administration protocol, it’s offered substantial relief for patients in a safer manner than drugs like benzodiazepines.
Esketamine, marketed under the name Spravato, has also emerged as a similar treatment, and it’s important to know which one is better for you. In this blog post, we’ll dive deeper into IV ketamine infusions, Spravato nasal spray, and how the two treatments compare.
Understanding IV ketamine infusions
Ketamine therapy has been the subject of numerous studies from respected institutions like Yale University and found to be extraordinarily beneficial for depression, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders.
IV ketamine infusions are administered at low doses over an extended period of time. An initial treatment includes six 40-minutes intravenous infusions, each separated by about 2 to 3 weeks. These infusions are most effective when overseen by psychiatrists experienced with the mental illnesses being treated.
Ketamine infusions can offer relief for an extended period of time following the initial round of treatment, but this relief isn’t guaranteed to be permanent. Many patients require follow-up treatments over time to keep their symptoms at a low level.
What is Spravato nasal spray?
Spravato, or esketamine, is an antidepressant administered through a nasal spray in conjunction with a traditional oral antidepressant. Unlike ketamine, esketamine is FDA-approved if administered in this manner.
Esketamine is intended specifically for treatment-resistant depression, meaning that symptoms haven’t been relieved by alternative treatments. Unlike IV ketamine infusions, Spravato is associated with a number of risks that require it to be distributed through a restricted system under a Risk Evaluations and Mitigation Strategy (REMS).
The potential side effects of Spravato include:
- Sedation
- Dissociation
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Which form of ketamine treatment is more effective?
The better choice of treatment may seem obvious from the facts described in this post, but let’s more closely compare these two options.
Despite the lack of proven side effects and the wealth of benefits seen in association with racemic ketamine in the form of IV treatments, it isn’t immediately clear how it compares with Spravato in terms of effectiveness.
While substantial research is being done to observe the effects of racemic ketamine, it isn’t clear what long-term side effects may appear as a result of this treatment. This may be relevant to its lack of FDA approval despite positive findings, even compared to Spravato specifically, in previous studies.
At this point in time, there isn’t a substantial amount of evidence to indicate a risk of side effects of the same level of severity as with Spravato for IV ketamine infusions. It’s a more involved, extended treatment, but one that’s administered under the direct guidance of a medical professional as it’s happening, carrying less potential for abuse as a result.
Feel the relief you deserve with Long Island Ketamine Infusions!
If you’re suffering from debilitating side effects as a result of a mental disorder like depression, PTSD, OCD, or any number of anxiety disorders, get in touch with Long Island Ketamine Infusions.
With a treatment plan overseen by experienced psychiatrist Dr. Michelle Curro, you can rest assured that you’re receiving proven, effective treatment in the safest setting possible. Interested in learning more? Our number is 631-215-3142. Call now!