Ketamine is an anesthesia medication used for surgery. This injectable drug causes a partial or total loss of sensation. It also induces a feeling of calmness and relaxation. While this drug has only been approved by the FDA for anesthesia, it is currently being used to treat certain health conditions.

If you want to know more about ketamine, here are the answers to three frequently asked questions about this drug.

1. What Conditions Is Ketamine Used to Treat?

Ketamine is used to treat chronic pain as well as pain that occurs after surgery. Ketamine is also used to treat certain psychiatric disorders including:

• Major depressive disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• PTSD
• Anxiety
• Suicidal ideation

It should also be noted that esketamine nasal spray, which contains ketamine can be effective for hard-to-treat depression. Esketamine is usually used in conjunction with an oral antidepressant.

In most instances, ketamine is used as a last resort when treating these types of psychiatric disorders.

2. How Is Ketamine Administered?

Ketamine is usually injected into the skin. However, an infusion is another administration method. With this method, the ketamine is given intravenously. Ketamine infusion therapy is done when oral medications are not effective. In most cases, patients who receive ketamine infusions do so at a ketamine infusion center.

Patients who are seeking treatment for depression should know that since ketamine is not approved by the FDA, infusion therapy may not be covered by insurance. It is also expensive and can cost as much as $495 per infusion.

3. What Are the Side Effects of Ketamine?

As with most medications, ketamine does have some side effects. These side effects vary from person to person, but the most common ones include:

• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Disassociation

Other rare but significant side effects include bloody urine, blurry vision, difficulty breathing, convulsions, excessive sweating, and unusually warm skin. Most side effects are only temporary. If significant side effects continue, it's recommended for patients to see their doctor or go to the emergency room.

4. Is Ketamine Safe?

Since ketamine has not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of psychiatric disorders, many people are concerned about its safety. Proponents of the drug say that ketamine is an effective form of treatment that provides quick relief, but that its long-term effects have not been studied.

When taking ketamine, patients are urged to take precautions and be aware of any negative side effects. For those who are concerned about safety, taking an oral antidepressant with esketamine nasal spray might be an effective alternative to ketamine infusion.