Ketamine therapy is a treatment approach used for certain psychiatric disorders and chronic pain conditions. Ketamine infusion therapy may be incorporated into the treatment and management of conditions including treatment-resistant depression (TRD), major depressive disorder (MDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and chronic pain.
CRNAs/Nurse anesthesiologists may provide ketamine therapy services as part of a collaborative care plan alongside psychiatric and other healthcare professionals. AANA provides guidance and educational resources to support patient safety and evidence-informed care.
Ketamine is a medication traditionally used for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia. It works differently from many traditional antidepressant medications by targeting N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the brain.
Research has shown ketamine may have rapid antidepressant effects for some patients, particularly those with treatment-resistant depression.
Esketamine nasal spray, a form of ketamine, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for:
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