Common And Rare Ketamine Adverse Effects

Ketamine infusion therapy has been rapidly gaining popularity as a safe, proven, and effective procedure to treat symptoms of severe depression, suicidality, PTSD, and chronic pain. One of the key advantages over traditional therapies is that there are no serious or persistent ketamine adverse effects in most cases.

Intravenous ketamine therapy is delivered in low doses that are spread over 2-3 weeks. The medicine leaves the body very quickly, mostly within 12 hours, but the therapeutic benefits can be long-lasting due to the processes that occur when the medicine is in the body. While ketamine is very safe and effective, it is critical to choose a qualified provider who has the expertise to administer the treatment in a consistent and precise fashion.


During the initial consultation, a dedicated provider will discuss the healing, antidepressant effects of ketamine and any potential, short-term ketamine infusion therapy side effects to help the patient make an informed decision.

Common Side Effects

The following potential side effects may commonly be associated with ketamine infusion therapy:

• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure during the treatment and may continue for some time after
• Involuntary twitching or muscle spasms
• Incoherent speech during treatment

While these side effects are considered rather severe, they do not occur often. Increased heartbeat and blood pressure typically normalize around two hours after treatment is finished. Adjuvant medications can be provided to relieve all of them if needed.

• Confusion or “fuzziness” during and after therapy.
• Delirium
• Hallucinations (generally closed-eye visuals and not full-blown).
• Mild mood swings

These side effects are less severe, and will typically dissipate on their own without requiring treatment.

Infrequent Side Effects

These infrequent side effects are severe, but do not occur often:

• Abnormal drop in blood pressure
• Reduced pulmonary function
• Slow heartbeat
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Abnormal increase in muscle tone
• Skin rashes

These are most severe symptoms, but will occur only infrequently.

Rare Side Effects

• Larynx spasms
• Arrhythmia
• Bladder inflammation
• Severe allergic reactions
• Apnea

• Double vision
• Nausea or loss of appetite
• Bruising at the injection site
• Eye twitching and increased eye pressure

The benefits of ketamine effects on the brain far outweigh the risks, which explains the growing popularity of this treatment. After many thousands of patients seen at Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles, there has not been one single case of significant, negative side effects persisting. Internationally-renowned pioneer of ketamine treatments, Dr. Steven Mandel, is one of the first doctors to offer antidepressant ketamine infusions; Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Orange County, San Diego, Palm Springs, San Francisco, Sacramento, Las Vegas, and other cities throughout country send patients to our Ketamine Clinic for our pristine reputation, superior treatment outcomes, and beautifully comforting facility.

For more information about treatments for depression, BPD, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, fibromyalgia, pain syndromes, and other conditions, contact us at the Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles in Southern California by clicking here or calling 310-270-0625 

Treating patients from LA, Beverly Hills, Orange County, San Diego, Palm Springs, San Francisco, Sacramento,CA,  Las Vegas, NV and many other cities from west to east coast.