Author: Bob Brensel | President, Pharmacist | ScriptWorks
Bob Brensel, RPh, earned his Pharmacy Degree at University of the Pacific in Stockton, California in 1980. Former California Pharmacists Association’s Award Winner for Recognition of Outstanding Achievement in Compounding Pharmacy. Read More →
Nearly 1 in 7 California adults experiences a mental illness, and one in 26 has a serious mental illness that makes it difficult to carry out daily activities.
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic used for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. It is now also used for addressing depression. There is a commercially available nasal spray, Spravato™, which is esketamine and is administered in ketamine centers along with ketamine infusion protocols.
It should be noted that ketamine is not a first-line medication for depression or PTSD and is recommended only if standard methods are intolerable or fails.
Ketamine Centers
A ketamine center is a specialized medical facility or practice that provides ketamine therapy for patients who have various medical and mental health conditions. They are staffed by healthcare professionals who are trained and experienced in administering ketamine and overseeing its therapeutic use. These clinics offer a structured and controlled environment that is also comfortable and calming for patients to receive ketamine.
Research has shown promising results for individuals who have not responded to conventional medication protocols. These clinics commonly assist patients with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and pain.
Ketamine clinics typically create customized plans for each patient based on their specific medical or mental health condition. Providers at these centers educate patients about ketamine therapy, its potential benefits, expected side effects, and any precautions they should take before and after the process.
Many ketamine clinics combine ketamine therapy with psychotherapy sessions, enhancing the therapeutic benefits.
ScriptWorks Offers Compounded At-Home Ketamine Therapy
At-home ketamine therapy involves self-administration of ketamine, under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider, for the management of certain mental health conditions.
If the healthcare provider deems at-home ketamine therapy appropriate, they may prescribe a specific dosage form (i.e., Rapid Dissolve Tablets, Nasal Spray, or sublingual tablets) for use at home. The dosing administration schedule will be tailored to the specific patient’s needs and adjusted as deemed by the provider. It is recommended that it should be compounded only by a PCAB-accredited compounding pharmacy, like ScriptWorks.
A study by Hull and others describe sublingual ketamine as being a safe and potentially effective means of addressing moderate-to-severe anxiety and depression while being taken at home. It should be noted that compounded ketamine therapy is currently not FDA-approved.
Access to specialized ketamine clinics or healthcare facilities may be limited in certain areas. At-home compounded therapy can potentially make ketamine more accessible to patients in remote areas or patients who have transportation issues.
Potential Compounded Therapies for At-Home Ketamine Therapy
Typically, ketamine therapy is administered at ketamine centers, but for patients with accessibility problems, compounded at-home therapy is available at ScriptWorks if deemed necessary by their healthcare provider.
Commonly requested compounded formulations include Nasal Sprays, Rapid Dissolve Tablets, and Sublingual Tablets or Troches.
For Practitioners: Collaborate with ScriptWorks
ScriptWorks pharmacy is dedicated to working closely with healthcare providers to ensure the best approach for their patients. We invite California Prescribers, particularly those in psychiatry-focused practices, to explore the potential of compounded ketamine for their patients who are not candidates for ketamine but might benefit from ketamine therapy.
For Patients: Experience the ScriptWorks Difference
If you or someone you know may be candidate for at-home ketamine therapy, ScriptWorks Pharmacy offers a range of compounded options to suit prescriber’s needs.
If you suffer from depression that is not being addressed successfully by conventional anti-depressant therapies, ketamine may be a potential therapy that has been a life saver for many patients.
Contact ScriptWorks
Main: (925) 934-4400 Toll Free: (866) 234-4488 Fax: (925) 934-4442