Ketamine therapy has provided a much-needed breakthrough in the treatment of mental illness, chronic pain, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, among other conditions. For a start, you can find ketamine therapy in CT at Complete Ketamine Solutions, a clinic dedicated to offering compassionate and comprehensive ketamine infusion therapy in a friendly environment.
However, ketamine therapy poses potential risks and side effects. Let’s break down some of the short- and long-term side effects of such treatment.
Short-Term Side Effects
Although ketamine is a fast-acting anesthetic, its short-term side effects are unpredictable. Mostly, a patient’s dosage determines the effect (which is unique to each individual), making treatment planning challenging. These effects generally last a few hours, although some patients may experience them for days. Some of the common side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dissociated feeling – a sort of detachment from reality
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate
- Agitation or restlessness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Bruising – if delivered intravenously
- Anxiety – this feeling dissipates once the effects of the drug wear off.
Care teams can adjust medication and dosage levels – following regular monitoring – if patients experience any of these side effects. That said, patients can experience other less common side effects, including:
- Dysphoric mood – a sense of despair or loss of pleasure in life. If a patient experiences dysphoria, they should notify their care provider.
- Hallucinations – seeing, hearing, or feeling things that don’t exist.
- Mania – an agitated state with symptoms such as high energy, racing thoughts, excessive talking, and a decreased need for sleep. It’s advisable to stop treatment if mania occurs.
Long-Term Effects
These risks occur after prolonged use of ketamine therapy. For some patients, the effects may include:
Drug Dependence
In some patients, ketamine therapy can lead to dependence, meaning they may become psychologically addicted to the drug. As such, patients should use ketamine therapy cautiously and under supervision by a medical professional.
Most types of ketamine therapy are administered in a controlled clinical setting, lowering the risk of dependence. Even so, patients using sublingual ketamine lozenges at home should know about the potential for addiction.
Cognitive Impairment
This affects an individual’s ability to think and make decisions. It’s likely to occur if a patient uses a large dose of ketamine for an extended duration. Cognitive impairment can lead to difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, confusion, difficulty retaining information or learning, and difficulty making decisions. Consequently, some people using ketamine therapy may struggle to perform everyday tasks and activities, leading to a lower quality of life.
Personality Changes
Long-term use of ketamine therapy may cause unexpected changes in a patient’s character, although it’s known for its mood-enhancing properties. For instance, some individuals may experience heightened anxiety, feelings of agitation, or an overall sense of detachment from reality after receiving ketamine treatments.
While these side effects are uncommon, they can ultimately influence a patient’s outlook and behavior. Thus, patients considering ketamine therapy should discuss their concerns or questions with a healthcare provider. Plus, regular checks by the care provider on a patient’s mental and emotional well-being throughout the treatment can help.
Bladder or Liver Damage
Every type of medication carries risks. The primary cause of ketamine-induced bladder damage is the frequent usage of the drug. Specifically, patients taking ketamine orally risk developing this side effect more than those who use it intravenously due to lack of medical supervision.
Bladder damage can cause pain in the urinary tract and difficulty urinating. Patients may also experience increased urgency to go to the bathroom and notice blood in their urine.
While the chances of developing bladder problems are relatively low, it’s crucial to monitor symptoms such as pain or difficulty urinating closely. And if a patient suspects bladder damage, they should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
Liver damage may also occur if the organ gets overwhelmed while metabolizing ketamine. Signs of liver damage include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal pain, chronic fatigue, and dark urine.
It’s advisable to get a blood test to check for liver damage after an extended course of therapy. If damage is detected early, the care team should discontinue treatment.
Tolerance
Whereas ketamine doesn’t cause addiction, patients may develop a tolerance for the drug. As a result, they’re likely to require higher doses to realize the same results. Sometimes, this can lead to dependence (physical and psychological). As such, patients should follow their doctor’s orders to ensure they stay healthy and safe.
Patients should weigh the risks before starting a new course of treatment. After all, your health and well-being should be a priority. Nonetheless, don’t let the fear of potential side effects deter you from exploring ketamine’s therapeutic benefits. Through open discussions with your healthcare provider, you can determine if ketamine therapy is a suitable option.
