Statement on Ketamine Infusion by Mountain View Headache and Spine Institute

At Mountain View Headache and Spine Institute, you will receive safe, effective IV ketamine therapy with full precautions by double board-certified Dr Ruchir Gupta MD. For more information, contact us today or book an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Phoenix AZ and Sun City AZ.

The recent passing of Mathew Perry by what the pathologist has stated as “acute ketamine effects” has led many to question the safety of ketamine therapy. I would like to begin by stating some facts regarding Mr. Perry’s death. First, while Mathew Perry received IV ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety as per the coroner “the ketamine in his system at death could not be from that infusion therapy, since ketamine’s half-life is 3 to 4 hours, or less.” Perry underwent IV ketamine infusion therapy over a week before his tragic passing. Second, ketamine was found in Perry’s stomach, strongly arguing that there must have been some self-administration of this medication by the individual, likely ketamine pills. Third, while the cause of death has been attributed to ketamine, Perry was also on a narcotic medication, buprenorphine, which can potentiate the sedating effects of other medications, such as ketamine.

This tragic event highlights the importance of receiving IV ketamine in a treatment center, whether an outpatient medical clinic or a hospital and not through self-administration. I have advocated strongly for IV infusion therapy as the only and safest method of administering ketamine for mental health and chronic pain conditions. The patient should be on vital signs monitored with the heart rate, breathing rate, oxygenation level, and blood pressure being checked continuously. Additionally, after the infusion, the patient should continue to be monitored until they are deemed stable by trained medical professionals. My discharge instructions include having the patient refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery for 24 hours. The center where this therapy is administered should also have oxygen cylinders, and a full resuscitative cart with airway equipment and emergency drugs even to run a cardiac arrest code if needed. At my clinic, I have a third party that services my ‘crash cart’ and makes sure all of the equipment is up to date and functional and the medications have not expired.

Administering safe IV ketamine is expensive, which is why some providers have opted for nasal sprays and troches (pills) to be self-administered by the patient between infusions to maintain ketamine effects while containing cost. While I am sympathetic to cost concerns, the inherent danger of self-administering medications like ketamine prohibits me from endorsing this approach.

At our clinic, you will receive safe, effective IV ketamine therapy with full precautions. We will continue providing the resources needed to protect you from any potential harm from this medication. It is important to note that any medication, whether ketamine in the case of Perry or Propofol, in the case of Michael Jackson, if administered by non-trained professionals or patients themselves, can result in catastrophic consequences. I am a double board-certified anesthesiologist and Pain physician. Because ketamine is classified as an anesthetic by the FDA, it is within my scope of practice to administer this medication safely. Thus, my patients will continue to receive the highest quality treatment at my facility.

Additional Services You May Like

▸ Acupuncture
▸ Chiropractic Therapy
▸ Chronic Pain
▸ Epidural Injections
▸ Headaches
▸ IV Therapy
▸ Ketamine Therapy
▸ Low Back Pain
▸ Manual Therapy Clinic
▸ Natural Therapy
▸ Post Herpetic Neuralgia (Shingles)
▸ Neck Pain
▸ Nerve Blocks
▸ Nutraceuticals
▸ Super Concentrated Plasma
▸ Radiofrequency Ablation
▸ Bone Marrow Concentrate
▸ Regenexx
▸ Sciatica
▸ Spinal Cord Stimulator
▸ Sport Injuries

Additional Services You May Like

▸ Acupuncture
▸ Chiropractic Therapy
▸ Chronic Pain
▸ Epidural Injections
▸ Headaches
▸ IV Therapy
▸ Ketamine Therapy
▸ Low Back Pain
▸ Manual Therapy Clinic
▸ Natural Therapy
▸ Post Herpetic Neuralgia (Shingles)
▸ Neck Pain
▸ Nerve Blocks
▸ Nutraceuticals
▸ Super Concentrated Plasma
▸ Radiofrequency Ablation
▸ Bone Marrow Concentrate
▸ Regenexx
▸ Sciatica
▸ Spinal Cord Stimulator
▸ Sport Injuries