Ketamine Nasal Spray for Depression and Pain Management

Using Ketamine Nasal Spray for Depression and Pain Management

Pavilion Compounding Pharmacy is the leading formulation specialist for ketamine nasal spray, being used for both pain and as an alternative therapy for depression. This dosage method may provide quick relief for difficult to treat depression.

The nose has nerve fibers within its cavity that directly connects to the brain stem, thus bypassing the illusive blood brain barrier. The tight cell junctions stop most drugs delivered via the bloodstream from the brain. This system also prevents harmful pathogens from as a protective mechanism. However; delivering the drug via the nasal cavity is proven to be a dependable method for administering many useful drugs, including ketamine, oxytocin, fentanyl, flumazenil, vitamin b12, sermorelin, and many other large peptide analogs.

Specifically regarding ketamine for use as an anti-depressant and for effects of ketamine in the brain is to block the NMDA [N-methyl-d-aspartate] glutamate receptor resulting in a fast response time. Pavilion Compounding Pharmacy can provide the ketamine nasal spray in any strength, but keep in mind the drug’s solubility is limited at 200mg/ml. It is important to keep this strength at room temperature, to prevent the drug from precipitating out of solution. We use preserved water in our formulation, so the risk of bacterial contamination is minimal. Most common is a 100mg/ml concentration. Dosages vary widely, but each pump of the spray bottle is 0.1ml, so each pump will deliver 10mg of ketamine. Talk to your doctor to discuss the dosing. Many times one dose will provide a remarkable turnaround from our discussions with patients and their family members.

While many antidepressants are associated with numerous side effects, ketamine seems to have a very safe profile with few side effects. Also the 2 to 3 times a week schedule provides a convenient, discreet dosage easy to follow. Important in depression.

About Depression

Major depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, with about 17.3 million adults in the nation experiencing at least one episode in their lifetimes. Many of these individuals also experience physical pain from an injury or illness. Depression is a major risk factor for suicide and can be difficult to live with, as it can interfere with one’s ability to go about everyday activities. Treatment with antidepressants can help reduce the symptoms of depression.

Depression causes persistent feelings of sadness or loss of interest. These feelings can lead to a wide range of behavioral and physical symptoms, such as changes in sleep, energy level, appetite, concentration, daily behavior, or self-esteem. Depression can lead to mood changes, including agitation or irritability, excessive crying, restlessness, or social isolation. Symptoms of depression can affect the whole body to cause fatigue, excessive hunger, or loss of appetite.

Depression can even cause persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to conventional treatment. These symptoms can include headaches, digestive disorders, and pain for which doctors cannot find an apparent cause.

In fact, there is a close relationship between depression and pain. This is especially true in cases of chronic pain, where the discomfort persists for more than three months. Research shows that 30 to 50 percent of people with chronic pain also experience depression, anxiety, or other mood disorder. When one considers how a simple headache or backache can ruin someone’s day, it is reasonable to see how having pain that lasts for three months can cause depression.

Research also shows a physical connection between depression and pain, in that the same biological processes that cause depression can also cause pain. In many cases, alleviating depression and reduce pain, and relieving pain can lessen depression.

Depression and pain can prevent someone from holding a job, performing well at that job, taking care of their families, or enjoy their favorite hobbies. Many people with depression have trouble moving towards fulfilling their goals and dreams. Treatment for depression from a doctor’s office can help.

Medications for Depression

Used to treat depression and other conditions, antidepressants are among the top three medications prescribed in the United States. In fact, in the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, nearly 13 percent of Americans over the age of 12 said they had taken an antidepressant within the past month. The number of people with depression is statistically significant.

Antidepressants work by balancing the chemicals in the brain that affect mood and emotions. These brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, transmit signals between brain cells. In other words, neurotransmitters affect how brain cells communicate with each other. Interestingly, the neurotransmitters that influence mood also influence pain.

Antidepressants provide relief for millions of people with depression. In some cases, antidepressants can be an effective treatment for the pain that may accompany depression.

Doctors typically prescribe a class of medications, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These antidepressants do not work for everyone, though, even with repeated treatments with strong antidepressants, therapy, and other treatments. Medical professionals refer to this as “treatment-resistant depression.” Research shows treatment-resistant depression is widespread. In one study in people with depression, more than half of the participants did not achieve remission from depression after one full round of treatment, and one-third did not experience relief from depression after four courses of treatment. Treatment-resistant depression may even worsen symptoms of depression, as patients feel hopeless after engaging in many failed treatments.

Why Ketamine is Useful for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Patients most commonly take antidepressants in a tablet form, but liquids and other dosage formulas are available. In many cases, the dosage formulas can contribute to treatment-resistant depression. When taken in pill or liquid form, oral antidepressants and other medication is absorbed into the digestive tract and then into the bloodstream, which delivers it to the target tissue or organ for treatment. In the case of antidepressants, the bloodstream delivers the medication to the brain.

Before it can enter the patient’s brain, though, the medication has to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Tightly packed cells, known as “tight junctions,” act as a border to separate the blood in the brain from the blood in the rest of the body. The blood-brain barrier prevents neurotransmitters from other parts of the body from entering the brain and maintains a constant environment for the brain. These tight junctions also prevent certain foreign substances in the blood – including some beneficial medications – from reaching the brain. The blood-brain barrier, then, can pose a problem for those taking antidepressants.

This is especially true for those taking SSRIs, which do not pass through the blood-brain barrier. Ketamine nasal spray overcomes the issues created by the blood-brain barrier to deliver active ingredients to the brain. Nerve fibers within the nasal cavity connect directly to the brain stem, thereby bypassing the blood-brain barrier. Ketamine nose spray delivers its active ingredients to the nerves, which “fast tracks” the drug into the brain.

Delivering medicine via the nasal cavity is a dependable method for administering other medications, such as oxytocin, HCG, fentanyl, flumazenil, vitamin b12, and sermorelin.

Once through the blood-brain barrier, either through the bloodstream or through nerve fibers, the chemicals in medications bind to special receptors on brain cells. Binding to the receptors in this way makes the cell act differently – it can either cause an action or prevent another chemical from binding to the receptor to cause an action. Ketamine binds to receptors that affect mood and emotions, immediately balancing the brain’s neurotransmitters and providing immediate relief from depression – often within the first 24 hours.

Specifically, ketamine binds to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. There, it works as an antagonist, which means it blocks other chemicals from binding to the receptor. In addition to alleviating the symptoms of depression, binding as an antagonist to the NMDA receptor also relieves pain. Its effects make ketamine an effective anesthesia in the operating room or emergency department.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved other nasal sprays to treat depression symptoms. For example, the FDA has recently approved esketamine nasal sprays for depression. Because of its potential for abuse and misuse, though, the FDA will restrict availability and monitor use tightly.

When it comes to formulating ketamine nose spray as an alternative approach to depression therapy and for pain relief, Pavilion Compounding Pharmacy leads the industry. The compounding pharmacists have special expertise in preparing ketamine dosages in a nose spray to offer quick, convenient relief for difficult-to-treat depression, especially in comparison with pills and other dosage methods.

Using preserved water to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination, the compounding pharmacists at Pavilion Compounding Pharmacy can provide ketamine nose spray in any strength. The most common strength is a 100mg/ml concentration, so there is 100mg of ketamine in every milliliter of preserved water. The maximum drug solubility of ketamine is 200mg/ml. Dosages vary widely, but each pump of the spray bottle is 0.1ml, so each pump will deliver 10mg of ketamine.

Patients should speak their doctors for medical advice about individual dosing. Many patients and family members report remarkable turnaround times after just one dose.

In addition to its fast action, ketamine provides a number of benefits over other medications. Ketamine seems to have a very safe profile with few side effects, for example, while many other antidepressants cause a number of side effects. Many patients appreciate the convenient dosing schedule – usually two to three times a week, rather than daily. The nasal spray delivery makes it discreet and easy to use.

The safe, effective, and speedy relief from depression that ketamine nasal spray provides can change the lives of people who suffer from this mood disorder. After treatment, many patients are able to return to work, take care of their families, and enjoy their favorite hobbies. Most go on to lead happy, productive lives.

Ketamine Nasal Spray from Pavilion Compounding

Recently National Public Radio (NPR) did a story regarding ketamine for depression. Our experience with this therapy aligns with their story. Ketamine can be a very useful alternative and we invite you to give us a call to review information at 404-350-5780. A prescription from a licensed provider is required for this treatment option.

CBD oil may also provide benefits for pain management and depression. Click here for more information on this over the counter supplement.

Other related articles:

http://www.fox5atlanta.com/health/fox-medical-team/ketamine-could-be-game-changer-for-depression

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-08-ketamine-antidepressive-effects-tied-opioid.html#nRlv