What is ketamine therapy?
Ketamine therapy is a medical procedure in which ketamine — a medication that has been used in anesthesia for decades — is administered in small, carefully measured doses to treat certain mental health conditions and chronic pain. Unlike classic antidepressants, which work gradually over weeks, ketamine acts considerably faster in some patients, sometimes within the very first few sessions.
In the context of treating depression and pain, ketamine is given in doses that are far smaller than those used to induce anesthesia. The goal is not for the patient to sleep, but to reach a mildly altered state while vital functions remain fully preserved and continuously monitored. It is most often given as a slow infusion through a vein, with the pulse, blood pressure, breathing and oxygen saturation checked throughout the entire procedure.
It is important to stress right away that ketamine therapy is not a miracle cure, nor a substitute for psychiatric follow-up, psychotherapy and the rest of treatment. It is one of the options considered when other methods have not produced a sufficient result, and it is always carried out as part of a broader treatment plan led by a physician. At Medical Time it is applied responsibly, under strictly controlled conditions, and never without a prior, thorough medical assessment.
Precisely because of its strength and specific action, ketamine belongs to the medications given exclusively within a healthcare facility, under the supervision of a trained team. It is never used on one's own, outside the hospital or without a clear medical indication — that would be both ineffective and dangerous.
Conditions in which ketamine therapy helps
Ketamine therapy is considered for precisely defined conditions and only after a physician judges that other, conventional treatment methods have been exhausted or are insufficient. It is not prescribed lightly and is not a first line of treatment, but an option chosen carefully for the appropriate patient.
The most common conditions in which, following an appropriate assessment, ketamine therapy is considered are:
- medication-resistant depression — when two or more properly conducted courses of antidepressant treatment have not produced a satisfactory result
- severe depressive episodes with marked loss of drive and interest that seriously disrupt daily life
- conditions with pronounced suicidal thoughts, where a faster reduction of symptoms is needed — always with mandatory psychiatric follow-up
- chronic pain that does not ease with standard therapy, including neuropathic (nerve) pain and certain pain syndromes
- certain chronic pain conditions where heightened sensitivity to pain or tolerance to usual analgesics has developed
Why the physician's assessment is essential
Before any administration of ketamine, a detailed medical and psychiatric assessment is carried out. The physician takes a full history, reviews previous therapy, earlier diagnoses and chronic illnesses, and evaluates whether the patient is a candidate for this form of treatment at all. This assessment is the most important step and is never skipped.
During the assessment, particular attention is paid to the condition of the heart and blood vessels, blood pressure values, liver function, as well as any history of psychotic states or substance misuse. All of this influences the decision on whether the therapy is safe, at what dose and on what schedule.
The aim of the assessment is simple: to make sure the benefit of the therapy clearly outweighs the possible risks for the particular patient. If the physician concludes that the therapy is not appropriate or safe, it is not carried out — and that is part of a responsible approach, not an obstacle. The patient's health and safety always come first.
How it is performed — course, duration and supervision
At Medical Time, ketamine therapy is carried out in a calm, controlled setting, with a physician and medical staff continuously present. The patient arrives prepared, according to instructions given in advance, and before administration the general condition, blood pressure and pulse are checked.
The medication is most often given as a slow infusion through a vein. The dose is carefully measured and tailored to the patient, and the infusion runs gradually, with vital signs constantly monitored. During administration the patient may feel mild dizziness, an altered sense of time and space, or a feeling of lightness — all of these are expected, temporary phenomena that the staff monitor and explain.
The administration itself usually lasts about 40 to 60 minutes, followed by a period of recovery and observation within the facility until the effect of the medication wears off and the patient is fully clear-headed. The total stay, including preparation and recovery, most often lasts a few hours. The number of sessions and the interval between them is determined by the physician, depending on the condition and the response to therapy.
Throughout the entire procedure the staff continuously monitor the pulse, blood pressure, breathing and oxygen saturation. It is precisely this constant supervision that distinguishes safe, medically guided ketamine therapy from any uncontrolled use and makes it a responsible procedure.
- before therapy: check of general condition, blood pressure and pulse, and a brief talk with the physician
- during therapy: a slow infusion with continuous monitoring of vital functions and staff present
- after therapy: a period of recovery and observation until the effect of the medication wears off
- a companion is required for the trip home — no driving or operating machinery that day
Safety and possible side effects
When carried out in inpatient conditions, with correct dosing and constant supervision, ketamine therapy is considered safe for carefully selected patients. Still, like any medication, ketamine can cause side effects, which are most often temporary and subside soon after administration.
During or immediately after therapy the following may occur, which the staff monitor and ease as needed:
- a temporary rise in blood pressure and an increased heart rate during administration
- dizziness, light-headedness or a feeling of unreality and an altered perception of surroundings
- nausea, sometimes vomiting, which is easily controlled with medication
- temporary headache, drowsiness or a feeling of tiredness after therapy
- short-lived blurred vision or difficulty concentrating on the same day
Responsible use and the limits of therapy
Because of its effect, ketamine is administered exclusively within a healthcare facility and is never given to the patient to use at home or without supervision. This is a clear medical and safety boundary that protects the patient from the risks of incorrect dosing, unsupervised side effects and the possible development of dependence.
Repeated and uncontrolled use of ketamine outside a medical setting carries serious risks, including damage to the bladder, memory problems and psychological dependence. That is precisely why therapy at Medical Time is strictly limited to medically justified cases, with a clearly defined number of sessions and continuous monitoring of the patient's condition between treatments.
Ketamine therapy does not replace the rest of treatment. It is carried out together with psychiatric follow-up, and for pain, in agreement with the physician managing the pain treatment. The aim is for the therapy to be part of a comprehensive plan, not an isolated procedure.
When ketamine therapy is not advisable
Ketamine therapy is not for everyone. There are conditions in which it is not carried out, or is carried out only with special caution and additional assessments. For this reason an honest and complete conversation with the physician, in which all illnesses and medications are disclosed, is crucial for safety.
The therapy is most often not advised, or requires particular caution, in the following situations:
- uncontrolled, high blood pressure and serious heart and blood vessel disease
- a history of psychotic states or more serious mental health disorders in which ketamine may worsen symptoms
- active misuse of alcohol or psychoactive substances
- pregnancy and breastfeeding
- severe liver disease or other conditions the physician judges to be incompatible with the therapy
- known hypersensitivity to ketamine
Why have ketamine therapy at Medical Time
Ketamine therapy requires experience, equipment and, above all, a responsible approach. At Medical Time it is carried out in genuine inpatient conditions, with a medical team that assesses each case individually and monitors the patient before, during and after every session.
Our approach is clear: the therapy is recommended only when there is a medical reason for it, always with a full assessment of benefits and risks and with continuous monitoring of vital functions. This ensures the therapy is both effective and safe, without skipping a single step.
- a detailed medical and psychiatric assessment before every therapy
- administration exclusively in controlled inpatient conditions, with a physician always present
- continuous monitoring of pulse, blood pressure, breathing and oxygen saturation
- tailored dosing and a clearly defined treatment plan
- a period of supervised recovery and observation after every session
- therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, alongside psychiatric follow-up
Price — Ketamine therapy
The price of ketamine therapy depends on the treatment plan, the number of planned sessions and the supervision required, and it is set only after the physician's assessment and confirmation that the therapy is right for you. You receive the exact price and appointment quickly, by phone or through the contact form, with no hidden costs.
- Consultation and pre-therapy assessment
- Ketamine therapy — single supervised session
- Treatment plan with multiple sessions
For the current price and an appointment, call 062-399-888.
Frequently asked questions about ketamine therapy
No. Ketamine therapy is not for everyone and is not a first line of treatment. It is considered only in carefully selected patients, most often when other methods have not worked, and only after a detailed assessment by a physician. Every case is decided by a physician.
No. Ketamine is administered exclusively within a healthcare facility, under continuous medical supervision and monitoring of vital functions. It is never given for independent use at home, as that would be both ineffective and dangerous.
In some patients ketamine acts faster than classic antidepressants, sometimes during the very first sessions. Even so, the response is individual and cannot be guaranteed in advance. The therapy is carried out as part of a broader treatment plan.
The administration itself usually lasts about 40 to 60 minutes, followed by a period of recovery and observation within the facility. The total stay, including preparation and recovery, most often lasts a few hours.
No. That day you must not drive or operate machinery, as the medication temporarily affects attention and reflexes. This is why it is essential to come with a companion and to arrange your trip home.
When carried out in inpatient conditions, with correct dosing and constant supervision, the therapy is considered safe for carefully selected patients. Possible side effects are most often temporary, and the staff monitor and ease them as needed.
No. Ketamine therapy is not a substitute for psychiatric follow-up, psychotherapy or the rest of treatment. It is carried out as part of a comprehensive plan led by a physician, with your other treatment continuing as agreed.
The therapy is not advised in cases of uncontrolled high blood pressure and serious heart disease, a history of psychotic states, active substance misuse, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, or in cases of hypersensitivity to ketamine. This is why an honest conversation with the physician is essential.