Frequently Asked Questions

Ketamine at home treatment involves using Ketamine tablets (RDT) or troches combined with counseling sessions to address various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. This occurs over telehealth and treatment sessions occur in the patient’s own home.

Ketamine approved by the FDA as an anesthetic and pain reliever, modulates neurotransmitters like glutamate, impacting mood regulation and cognition. The tablet or troche dissolves in the mouth and is absorbed there, leading to a quicker onset of effects compared to traditional oral tablets that utilize the intestine for absorption. This also bypasses first-pass metabolism via the liver leading to faster onset. Learn more about how ketamine works in the body and brain.

Individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD and chronic pain have many treatment options including traditional psychotherapy, other medications, and healthy lifestyle.

Learn more about the alternative treatment options here.

During treatment, individuals may experience altered perceptions, emotions, and thoughts. Some may undergo a dissociative state temporarily.

Preparation involves discussions with healthcare providers, learning relaxation techniques, and practicing mindfulness to manage anxiety or negative experiences. You should be fasting 6 hours prior to the treatment. Arrange for a close friend or guide to be present with you and plan a safe and comfortable space. Prepare a playlist of uplifting or classical music. Have a blood pressure cuff ready if you have hypertension. Get an eye mask or covering to keep on during the duration of the treatment. Disconnect from technology.

Working through negative emotions with a mental health professional before and after the treatment is crucial. Pre and post-session counseling sessions are offered for support. During the treatment you are encouraged to breathe through any discomfort and remember that the sensations and experience is only temporary and short lived. It is crucial that you have a close friend or family member to provide support and physical assistance if needed.

Participants need to stop certain medications, particularly sedatives, and fast for at least 6 hours before the treatment. They should continue vital medications with a sip of water.

Safety measures include remaining in bed during the experience, avoiding risky activities (eg. pools or bath tubs), and having a trusted individual present for assistance if needed. Monitoring of vital signs such as blood pressure and pulse oximetry is recommended and critical for certain higher risk individuals. Learn more about safety here.

While side effects are usually mild and temporary, individuals might experience nausea, dizziness, headache, dissociation, increased heart rate or blood pressure, or changes in perception. Dependence and addiction is a concern but rare when proper protocols are followed. Serious respiratory adverse effects are rare but should be reported promptly. Contact your local healthcare provider and call 911 if you need urgent medical care.

Yes, oral Ketamine treatment is considered experimental or off-label and is explored as an alternative or adjunctive option after traditional therapy modalities have failed.

Maintaining open communication about any changes in medical condition, medications, or adverse effects experienced is essential for safe and effective treatment. Patients can schedule a telemedicine visit with the onpatient portal at any time. Contact us here.

Submit the patient intake form. You will need to complete the required attestations prior to choosing a plan and paying with your credit or debit card.

You will receive an email directing you to our OnPatient portal to complete the signup process. You will need to complete our health questionnaire and sign the consent forms.

You will be notified and automatically placed in line for the next telemedicine appointment, typically the visit occurs within 12 hours. You have the opportunity to reschedule to a more convenient time on the OnPatient site. You are required to complete your health questionnaire and sign the consent forms prior to your first telemedicine visit.

If deemed eligible, you'll receive a prescription for Ketamine. The prescription is sent electronically to an unaffiliated compounding pharmacy. The pharmacy will contact you to discuss payment. Learn more on the pricing page.

No, like any other medication that is prescribed by your physician, ketamine is not supplied. You will need to purchase the ketamine tablets directly from the pharmacy. The pharmacy will contact you to discuss payment. Learn more on the pricing page.

If you have one of the exclusion criteria (uncontrolled hypertension, unstable cardiovascular disease, severe pulmonary diseases, or recent stroke or heart attack) please do not request membership in the practice, unfortunately it is not safe for you to proceed with ketamine treatment at this time. If it is determined by our physician that you are not a candidate for ketamine therapy, your treatment fee will be fully refunded. Please email us with any questions you may have regarding ketamine eligibility prior to payment.

You should take the medication as prescribed, based on the dose recommended by our physician. At Discreet Ketamine we occasionally offer a microdose, with dosages typically in the 200-600 mg range per session. Follow the provided oral administration technique for optimal absorption, keeping the medicine in the mouth for as long as possible before swallowing. You are encouraged to lie on a couch or your bed and put on an eye mask and play relaxing or uplifting music. Follow the safety protocols and you will soon be on your way to improved mental health and overall wellbeing. The effects of the medicine will wear off in 2-4 hours but long term effects may continue over the next days to weeks.

The work is not over, in fact it is just beginning. You will need to continue on the treatment over the course of weeks to months and will typically take another dose in 3 days. Your treatment dose and schedule will be tailored to your specific needs. You are reminded of the importance of followup with our physician for post-treatment integration and discussions. You are also encouraged to journal, record, and share your experience with your therapist, support system, and trusted individuals. Continued psychotherapy sessions will be vital to your recovery. Difficult feelings may arise and you may be challenged by resurfacing of prior trauma but try not to resist the healing. Go with the flow.

Schedule a follow-up telemedicine appointment to discuss progress and potential adjustments to the treatment plan. You can schedule your appointment using the onpatient portal. Continue engaging in post-integration counseling and psychotherapy sessions for optimal results.

Please be aware that the initiation of the prescribed medication may require approximately one week from the time of consultation to procure the medication. The treatment plan typically encompasses a minimum of one to three months of medication, but for severe and intractable conditions, the duration may extend to six months or longer to effectively address the underlying health concerns. It is essential to commit to this treatment period to allow for a comprehensive assessment of the medication's efficacy and its potential to alleviate symptoms.

See pricing.

No, insurance does not cover ketamine treatment. Learn more on the pricing page.

Yes, the pharmacy will charge an additional fee. Learn more on the pricing page.

No. This service is for telemedicine only and visits occur over a private HIPAA secure non-recorded audio-video conference.