A treatment option to review when depression has not improved enough with standard care.
Advanced Depression Care
Ketamine is an anesthetic medication that has also been studied and used in clinical settings for difficult-to-treat depression. It acts on glutamate signaling, which is different from the serotonin and norepinephrine pathways targeted by many conventional antidepressants.
Ketamine is related to esketamine, the active ingredient in SPRAVATO. The distinction matters: SPRAVATO has FDA-approved psychiatric indications, while ketamine itself is not FDA-approved for psychiatric disorders.
BioMental Clinic helps patients compare ketamine with options such as SPRAVATO / esketamine, TMS, medication management, and psychotherapy so the next step is based on history, symptoms, goals, and practical fit.
When To Ask About Ketamine
The starting point is a clear review of diagnosis, symptom severity, prior medication trials, therapy history, and current treatment goals.
For many patients, the useful question is not whether ketamine is the only option. It is how ketamine compares with SPRAVATO / esketamine, TMS, medication changes, psychotherapy, or a combined plan.
What We Review
A ketamine consult covers the intended treatment target, expected visit structure, monitoring needs, likely costs or coverage issues, and how progress would be measured.
We also review the facts that affect any ketamine-related plan: sedation, dissociation, blood pressure changes, misuse risk, substance-use history, pregnancy, and relevant heart, brain, liver, or bladder concerns.
The outcome may be a ketamine-focused plan, a SPRAVATO / esketamine plan, TMS, medication changes, psychotherapy, or coordination with outside providers.
Next Steps
If you want to review ketamine as part of your depression treatment plan, these are the usual next steps:
Frequently Asked Questions
No. SPRAVATO contains esketamine and has FDA-approved psychiatric indications. Ketamine is a related medication, but ketamine itself is not FDA-approved for psychiatric disorders.
Adults with difficult-to-treat depression often ask about ketamine after medication, therapy, or other structured treatments have not provided enough relief.
Usually not. Ketamine is typically discussed as one part of a broader plan that may also include medication management, psychotherapy, TMS, SPRAVATO, or other supports.
Ketamine can cause sedation, dissociation, blood pressure changes, nausea, and other effects. The review also covers substance-use history, pregnancy, and relevant heart, brain, liver, or bladder concerns.
Contact Us
For general questions, use this form and our team will follow up. Ready to request a consult? Please complete the consult request form.