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Ketamine and Spravato

Unlocking New Hope for Treatment-Resistant Mood Disorders

When conventional approaches fail to provide relief from depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders, Washington Interventional Psychiatry steps in with innovative solutions. Our esteemed physicians specialize in offering procedures designed to help patients facing treatment-resistant conditions, offering a path towards renewed mental well-being.

Expert-Guided Interventions:

Our dedicated team of experts utilizes the latest in clinical care to administer intravenous ketamine treatment and intranasal esketamine for a variety of mental health conditions, including depression. With a patient-centric approach, we understand that traditional methods may not always yield results, and we are committed to providing alternative avenues for relief.

Transformative Ketamine Treatment:

Experience the benefits of ketamine treatment for depression at our Washington, DC location. Our ketamine treatments typically last around an hour (plan for up to 2 hours) and are administered in a safe and supportive environment. To ensure your safety, we advise that a friend or family member accompany you to the session. While some experience dissociation due to the anesthetic effects, it is usually non-threatening and often pleasant. We monitor your experience closely, and if needed, can stop the infusion or provide medication to alleviate any discomfort.

Your Journey to Healing:

While immediate mood improvement may not be instant, relief can begin several hours after the treatment. It’s important to note that a series of infusions is often required for lasting relief, as the effects of ketamine build over time.

Exploring Intranasal Esketamine (SPRAVATO™):

In addition to intravenous ketamine, we also offer intranasal esketamine, known as SPRAVATO™. This method involves a 2-hour procedure directed by our skilled physicians and nursing staff. The effects are similar to intravenous ketamine, but the delivery method differs (nasal). If you’re curious about insurance coverage for intranasal esketamine, please contact us for more information.

At Washington Interventional Psychiatry, we believe in forging new paths to healing. Contact us today to explore the possibilities and take the first step towards transformative relief.

How Ketamine Treats Depression

Ketamine for Depression

Cost and Coverage at Washington Interventional Psychiatry

We understand that navigating the financial aspect of mental health treatment is important. Here’s what you need to know about the cost and coverage of our services:

Ketamine Infusions for Depression:

Unfortunately, insurance coverage for our ketamine treatment for depression is limited. While we don’t participate in insurance plans or bill them on your behalf, we will provide you with the necessary forms to submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.

For your convenience, the initial consultation with our psychiatrists is complimentary. Each ketamine infusion is priced at $500 per session. The initial protocol comprises six infusions over a two-week period, totaling $3000 for the induction phase. Subsequent infusions are determined based on your response to the medication, typically occurring every four weeks.

Intranasal Esketamine (SPRAVATO™):

We are proud to offer FDA-approved intranasal esketamine (SPRAVATO™) for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) at Washington Interventional Psychiatry. As with ketamine infusions, our psychiatrists will evaluate your eligibility for this treatment option and provide prescriptions accordingly. The consultation with our psychiatrists is complimentary.

While we strive to facilitate insurance approval for esketamine, co-pays can vary. Please contact us to determine the estimated out-of-pocket cost. The administration and monitoring of esketamine for two hours are priced at $300 per session. If your current psychiatrist can prescribe the medication, we can administer it at our facility, potentially waiving the initial consultation.

Referrals and Urgent Cases:

For physicians or nurses calling from an emergency room seeking to refer a patient for our ketamine treatments, we strive to accommodate your patient within 24 hours. If you’re a physician, NP, or psychiatrist interested in making a referral, please visit our referral tab or reach out to us. Alternatively, you can schedule a 15-minute appointment with one of our psychiatrists to discuss your patient’s case.

Safety Measures and Transportation:

Patient safety is paramount. Due to the possibility of delayed effects, patients will be monitored by healthcare professionals for at least two hours following each treatment. Blood pressure will be closely observed and managed if necessary.

Please note that SPRAVATO™ and all other routes of ketamine may impair driving ability, requiring transportation from our treatment center. We currently require patients to be driven home by a friend or family member.

For any further details or clarifications, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your well-being is our priority at Washington Interventional Psychiatry.

Can you tell me more about Ketamine?

Ketamine is a general anesthetic agent. It has been used in hospitals for decades and has a proven record of safety. The small doses and methods of administration used to treat psychiatric patients differ widely from those used in hospital operating rooms which allows us to use it in the outpatient setting.

Intravenous Ketamine is not, however nasal esketamine (SPRAVATO™) is FDA approved. They are the same drug (ketamine), absorption rates and the delivery process (intravenous vs intranasal) differs.

Yes, ketamine infusions for depression are outpatient procedures requiring no hospital admission.
Ideally yes as we want to make sure oral antidepressants have been unsuccessfully tried. However, a consult with our psychiatrists will be required and if oral antidepressants are an option- they will most likely be tried first.
No, mild to moderate depression is successfully treated by mental health professionals with drugs and psychotherapy. The treatment of severe depression is more difficult and requires a higher level of care, such as ECT, TMS, and now ketamine. Ketamine infusion therapy is reserved for those patients with severe depression that is considered otherwise treatment resistant.
Most patients we see are considered treatment resistant. That is, they have not responded to available antidepressant medications and in many cases have not responded to ECT or TMS. We cannot predict who will respond to ketamine. We will know within the induction phase of treatments if ketamine infusions will help you. If there is no benefit, we will let you know and help decide on an alternative treatment plan that might include referrals to ECT, TMS, or referral to NIH for possible enrollment in experimental medication trials.
A total of six is recommended within a 14 – 21 day period. That will maximize the ketamine effect. Thereafter, patients are placed on a maintenance program where they return when they feel it necessary for a single infusion booster. During the maintenance period, the duration of relief following the initial infusions and the first booster, and between subsequent single booster infusions varies between patients. The average duration of relief between booster infusions is 3 to 4 weeks. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict what your needs will be.
We unfortunately do not know the answer to this as there are no long term studies of ketamine or esketamine.
Yes. The benzodiazepines, such as Klonopin, Xanax, and Ativan do interfere with ketamine if used daily and at higher doses. Lamictal (lamotrigine) in doses above 100mg/day also can block ketamine efficacy. During your consultation with one of our physicians this will be discussed.
No, other antidepressant medications do not interfere with ketamine’s mechanism of action. However medications such as lamotrigine and benzodiazepines might need to be tapered down and if possible discontinued.
Yes, uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart failure need to be corrected before the use of ketamine.
True emergencies, with a psychiatric referral, can be seen within a day. But, in general, three to seven days are required to get you onto the schedule. We will however try our best to accommodate any patient’s scheduling needs.
○ One of the most efficacious treatments for refractory depression and suicidal ideation currently available. More recently we are seeing benefits in trauma related conditions as well ○ 6 total infusions, ranging from 2 – 3 per week (must be completed w/i 3 wks) ○ Each infusion is 40 minutes long, but total start-finish time is closer to ~75 ○ You cannot drive after an infusion ○ You’ll probably need to go home and take a nap before you feel clear headed ○ Most patients who respond to treatment require a single maintenance infusion monthly – quarterly ○ Potentially concerning side effects include dissociation, nausea, transient HTN,interstitial cystitis (rare), and laryngeal spasm (exceptionally rare)
■ More commonly used for self exploration of internal conflicts, history of trauma, psychological distress ■ Appts are booked for 2 hours ■ A therapist is in the room with you for a majority of the time (unless you ask her to leave) ■ A KAP treatment is more expensive than an standard infusion
○ Please don’t eat for 3-4 hrs prior to an infusion, but please do come well hydrated ○ Please abstain from any recreational drugs or alcohol the evening prior to and day/evening of an infusion Try your best to get a restful sleep the night before. ○ If journaling has been helpful, it’s a good time to journal. ○ Meditating the night before, the morning of and/or walking just before coming to the office might be beneficial to your experience. ○ You might consider dressing in comfortable clothing.

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Address:
4325 49th Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20016

Phone:
202.525.5123

Email: info@washingtoninterventionalpsychiatry.com

Fax:
202.464.5570