Can I Receive Ketamine Therapy If I Have A Pre-existing Medical Condition?
Ketamine treatment is an increasingly popular option for people seeking relief from depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Before considering ketamine treatment, however, it is essential to understand what medical conditions could make it unsafe or unsuitable. Depending on the situation, ketamine may be contraindicated or closely monitored. Let’s take a closer look at medical conditions that can impact ketamine treatments.
Contraindications Of Intravenous Ketamine- Medical Conditions:
- Alcohol Intoxication
- Confusion
- Heart Failure (Acute Decompensated Heart Failure)
- Pressure in the eyes is increasing
- Spinal fluid pressure has increased
- Liver function abnormality
- Eye pressure is increasing
- Poor circulation in the Heart
- Poor lung function
- Severe change in mental abilities (delirium)
- Substantial uncontrollable high blood pressure
- Substance Abuse
Cardiovascular Diseases
Ketamine affects heart rate and blood pressure; therefore, anyone with an underlying cardiovascular disease should discuss this with their doctor before receiving ketamine infusions. Adverse events increase for people with underlying cardiovascular conditions. Risks become minimized if the patient is monitored closely (e.g., continuous monitoring of vital signs). Hypertension can increase the risk of side effects from ketamine infusion due to increased sympathetic activity in response to the drug’s effects on heart rate and blood pressure.
Liver Problems
Patients with elevated liver enzymes or other liver-related problems should avoid ketamine treatment because it may cause liver damage and worsening symptoms. If you have elevated liver enzymes or any different kind of liver problem, consult your doctor before getting treated with ketamine infusions. Ketamine may further increase Some medications may interfere with their effectiveness or increase their potential side effects.
Research indicates that long-term ketamine use may lead to significant and potentially life-threatening changes in the urinary bladder, urethra, and biliary tract. Long-term recreational ketamine use can result in acute or chronic liver injury resembling a condition known as sclerosing cholangitis. This highlights how important it is to be mindful of the potential dangers ketamine may present when the drug is abused.
Pregnancy and Nursing Mothers
After using anesthetic ketamine in Rhesus monkeys, a study uncovered that it might cause long-lasting cognitive deficits leading to “significant increases in neuronal cell death.” Researchers discovered a link between perinatal ketamine exposure and neurotoxicity in immature infant brains. This alarming discovery, which could lead to serious behavioral issues later on down the line, warrants further investigation into possible mechanisms of action that may help explain this correlation.
Pregnant women should not use ketamine has been linked to congenital disabilities in animal studies. Nursing mothers should avoid using ketamine because it passes through breast milk into the infant’s bloodstream, which could result in adverse side effects for the baby. For these reasons, pregnant women and nursing mothers should not use ketamine for treating depression or anxiety without first discussing it with their doctor.
Exposure to ketamine during pregnancy can have severe consequences for the developing brains of infants and children. Decades of research have shown that it can pass from mother to fetus, leading to neurocognitive issues such as delayed learning capacity or impaired memory abilities in offspring. Recent studies in rats even found reductions in neuronal development due to exposure while pregnant. Mothers should consider this risk before taking this substance at any stage during their child’s gestation period.
On the contrary, one study showed that active metabolites in breast milk appear at low levels. Oral bioavailability was also minimal, making a case for low-risk to infants. Most doctors recommend avoiding breastfeeding your infant for 6-12 hours to decrease exposure to the drug in breast milk and instead to “pump” breast milk before undergoing ketamine treatment.
If you are pregnant or nursing, your doctor will discuss the matter with you and determine if ketamine would be advisable or not before undergoing treatment or surgery.
Alcohol and Ketamine
Mixing ketamine and alcohol can be risky, with potentially life-threatening side effects. An overdose of the combination of these two substances has severe symptoms, including unconsciousness, slowed heart rate, and vomiting. It’s essential to seek medical attention immediately if you or someone around you is experiencing them. Memory loss, urinary tract issues even coma could occur from mixing ketamine and alcohol. For a good reason, it should not be taken lightly and always be under the supervision of a qualified medical provider.
Memory loss, urinary tract issues even coma could occur from mixing ketamine and alcohol. For a good reason, it should not be taken lightly and always be under the supervision of a qualified medical provider.
Can Ketamine Therapy Help Alcoholism?
Once an alcoholic has detoxed and wants to go into remission, ketamine therapy could be the treatment that helps eliminate or reduce further alcohol consumption. In a study of alcoholics and ketamine, people who received the treatment had a significant increase in the days they remained abstinent from alcohol use compared to the placebo group at their 6-month follow-up. Patients with alcohol use disorder tolerated the drug well.
Another study showed that one single ketamine infusion combined with motivational enhancement therapy improved the measure of drinking for people with alcohol dependence.
Your doctor is there to help you and recommend what is in your best interest. Some patients are embarrassed about being an alcoholic. Don’t be! Be proud of yourself for doing something about it. Be honest with your doctor.
Ketamine For Depression Or Anxiety?
When considering ketamine infusions for treating depression or anxiety, it’s important to discuss any pre-existing medical conditions with a medical practitioner to determine whether it’s safe for you.
Some medical conditions, such as heart problems and elevated liver enzymes, could make ketamine unsafe. Pregnant and nursing mothers require close monitoring before deciding whether they should receive these treatments. Ultimately, everyone’s situation will vary depending on their personal health history.
By openly discussing with your doctor beforehand, you can ensure that you get all of the necessary information before deciding whether ketamine infusion therapy is right for you!
Article Reviewed By
Richard Koffler, MD
NPI Number- 1467557264
- Dr. Koffler is a Physiatrist, specializing in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
- Graduated from the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University in 1993 Dr. Koffler completed a one-year internship in internal medicine at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City.
- Residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Rusk Institute at NYU Medical Center in New York City. Board certified in 1998.
- Trained in acupuncture at Helms Medical Institute at UCLA His medical practice incorporates proven conventional western medicine integrating eastern alternative practices.
- Medical Director of several medical clinics in NYC, Stamford CT, and Miami Beach, FL.
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