What Conditions Does Intramuscular Ketamine Treat?

Ketamine is a powerful medication with a wide range of therapeutic uses. There are multiple ways to deliver therapeutic ketamine, including intramuscular injection, intravenous infusion, and oral lozenges known as troches. Intramuscular ketamine treatment is effective for a number of mental health conditions.

At NeuroHealth Treatment Centers, we provide ketamine therapy exclusively via intramuscular injection. Our clinical staff provides personalized care in a comfortable and modern office. This ensures a positive patient experience and helps patients start on the road to better mental health.

Have you tried medications and therapy with limited success? Ketamine treatment may be right for you. Call NeuroHealth Treatment Centers at 954-417-7575 today for a no-cost evaluation. We serve patients throughout South Florida from our clinic in Fort Lauderdale.

What Is Intramuscular Ketamine Treatment?

Intramuscular (IM) ketamine treatment is administered via injection into a muscle. Usually, the medication is injected into a large muscle group that allows for safe absorption and minimal discomfort. This includes the upper arm or shoulder, outer thigh, or the upper hip.

Ketamine has long been used as an anesthetic in emergency departments and operating rooms. It was FDA-approved for these purposes in 1970, and has an excellent 50+-year safety profile. Recent studies have shown that ketamine is also effective in treating depression and other psychological conditions.

Many studies focus on intravenous (IV) ketamine. However, intramuscular ketamine treatment has shown similar speed and effectiveness in relieving symptoms of anxiety, depression, etc.

You may have heard that ketamine can also be delivered via nasal spray. This is likely SPRAVATO®, a medication that is similar to — but chemically distinct from — therapeutic ketamine.

NeuroHealth Treatment Centers offers both of these treatments, and we can help you find the best option for your needs and mental health goals.

How Does IM Ketamine Work?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. It induces changes in how the brain processes sensory information and perceives the environment. At therapeutic doses, it can also lead to rapid improvements in mood. These changes are brought about by the effects of ketamine on glutamate signaling in the brain.

Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in communication between neurons. It is essential for memory, learning, and mood regulation. Glutamate transmits signals by binding to proteins on nearby neurons, including N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors.

A study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry suggests that NMDA receptor activity may be dysregulated in patients with certain mental health conditions. Ketamine temporarily interrupts NMDA receptors while indirectly stimulating glutamate signaling in other neural pathways. This can improve communication between brain cells and help promote neuroplasticity, or the ability of brain cells to form new connections.

Shifts in signaling triggered by therapeutic ketamine may help restore healthy function in the regions of the brain involved in mood regulation, such as the prefrontal cortex. The formation of new neural connections may also help disrupt previous negative thought patterns and lead to healthier emotional processing.

Psychiatric Conditions Treated with IM Ketamine

Intramuscular ketamine treatment has shown promise in the treatment of multiple mental health disorders. These include:

• Major Depressive Disorder
• Anxiety Disorders
• Suicidal Ideation
• Treatment-Resistant Depression
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Bipolar Depression

One of the largest studies examining intramuscular ketamine in psychiatric practice was published in BMC Psychiatry. More than 450 patients with a number of psychiatric conditions were included in the study. Improvements in participants’ mental health correlated strongly with the number of IM ketamine injections they received. 

IM Ketamine for Major Depression

Researchers found that median depression scores improved by 38% after a series of treatments with intramuscular ketamine. With maintenance treatments, these improvements persisted for more than 7 months.

IM Ketamine for Generalized Anxiety

The same study in BMC Psychiatry also included patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Median anxiety scores improved by 50%, from moderately severe anxiety at baseline to moderate anxiety at the last ketamine treatment.

IM Ketamine for Suicidal Ideation

Ketamine intramuscular injections were also associated with a significant reduction in suicidal ideation. The percentage of patients reporting any suicidal ideation decreased from 60% to 47%. This suggests that IM ketamine may be effective in rapidly reducing suicidal thoughts.

IM Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression

In a separate study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, intramuscular ketamine was administered to patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Within 1 hour of the initial dose, participants reported improved mood and reductions in depressive and anxiety symptoms. More than half of the participants responded to treatment in the first 24 hours, and the effects persisted for up to 1 week.

Why Choose IM Ketamine Over IV Ketamine?

The response rates for intravenous ketamine infusion are comparable to what we see with intramuscular ketamine treatment. IM ketamine therapy also has several advantages over IV treatment, including:

• Less invasive: Ketamine infusion requires the placement of an IV catheter, whereas intramuscular treatment is just an injection (similar to a flu shot).
• Greater comfort: Infusions can take up to 1 hour, during which patients have to be hooked up to the IV line. Most patients find the several seconds it takes to get an injection much more comfortable.
• Convenience: Intramuscular injections require less prep time, meaning the treatment is administered and clinical monitoring can begin much faster.
• Affordability: Less equipment is needed for intramuscular ketamine compared to infusions. This makes treatment more cost-effective, which translates to a lower price for patients (especially if the clinic offers financing options).
• Flexible dosing: The effects of ketamine administered intramuscularly reach their peak within 5–15 minutes. If there is insufficient response, clinical staff can provide a precisely calculated booster dose. This helps to optimize the therapeutic state.

At NeuroHealth Treatment Centers, we carefully evaluate your medical history to determine the best treatment option. If you are interested in intramuscular ketamine treatment, we encourage you to contact our Fort Lauderdale clinic.

What to Expect

Ketamine produces a dissociative state, which some patients describe as deep relaxation or detachment from their surroundings. You may also feel disconnected from the emotional distress associated with mental illness, resulting in a feeling of calmness or serenity.

Your blood pressure, heart rate, and response to the medication will be closely monitored. Sessions can last up to 2 hours, which includes both the initial treatment experience and monitoring after the effects subside.

During the recovery period, you may feel somewhat tired or disoriented. Because of this, you will need to make transportation arrangements to get home after the session.

Relief from depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues may become noticeable within days or even hours of the injection. Repeat sessions over several weeks (usually 6–8 treatments) are needed to achieve long-lasting relief, which may extend up to several months.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Like all medications, ketamine can have side effects. Most are temporary and relatively mild. You may experience soreness at the site of the intramuscular injection, as well as:

• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Changes in sensory perception
• Feelings of weightlessness or floating
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Headache

Ketamine may temporarily increase blood pressure and/or heart rate. Your care team will watch out for these side effects, ensure that you’re tolerating the treatment well, and optimize the dosage for your unique body chemistry and sensitivity to ketamine.

Looking for Intramuscular Ketamine Treatment in Fort Lauderdale?

NeuroHealth Treatment Centers is a leading provider of ketamine therapy in South Florida. We believe intramuscular treatment is superior for patient comfort, safety, and affordability. The results of IM injection are similar to IV infusion, with far less inconvenience or expense.

Call 954-417-7575 today to schedule a complimentary consultation. Our welcoming office creates a serene environment for mental health care. Each member of our clinical staff is committed to your well-being and helping you achieve meaningful relief from psychiatric conditions.