Patient Instructions

• Please arrange to have someone drive you home after the infusion. Your infusion will not begin until this is confirmed.
• You may eat light fare up to 4 hours prior to the infusion.
• You may drink clear liquids up to 2 hours before your appointment time. Please remain hydrated prior to and throughout your treatment cycle to ensure ease of intravenous catheter placement.
• Please plan to be at the clinic for a minimum of 1.5 hours for a 40-minute infusion.
• Please plan to be at the clinic for a minimum of 3 hours for a 2-hour infusion.
• Please plan to be at the clinic for a minimum of 5 hours for a 4-hour infusion.
• Plan to arrive at your scheduled time for each infusion. You will spend approximately 15-30 minutes preparing for the infusion (completing questionnaires, physical exam, obtaining vital signs, sit down with one of the Revitalist Providers, getting an IV catheter placed).
• Part of your infusion experience will also involve creating a peaceful and relaxing environment tailored to your sensory preferences (lighting, aromatherapy, noise-canceling headphones and/or music of your choice, and an adjustable recliner).
• Wear comfortable, loose clothing. Your shirt sleeves should be able to roll up above the elbow to allow a small IV catheter to be placed for the infusion.

As Revitalist does provide music and light blankets, please feel free to bring any personal music along with headphones and personal pillows and blankets to make your infusion experience as comfortable as possible.

Please set phones to a silent mode (both patients and those persons who remain in the waiting room), and avoid use during your treatment to optimize your treatment results. We want all patients to experience a serene environment where they feel relaxed and free from all potential outside stressors.

Please inform us of any and all medications and supplements you are taking.

A) Lamictal (generic name Lamotrigine). Patients should allow 6 hours between taking Lamictal and the start of their infusion. They should wait 6 hours after their infusion before resuming Lamictal.

B) Patients taking large doses of benzodiazepines may have a reduced response to ketamine. This does not mean you can’t receive ketamine treatment while taking benzodiazepines. It is perfectly safe. We want to ensure the best possible chances for your success however, so we may ask you to skip a dose 12 hours before the start of your infusion and wait until 6 hours after before resuming your benzodiazepine. Some common brand names are Xanax (Alprazolam), Ativan (Lorazepam), Valium (Diazepam), and Klonopin (Clonazepam).

SSRIs and tricyclics do not interfere with ketamine. There is no need to stop them. If you are taking opiates, muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatories, there is no need to adjust your dose.

Together, with your prescribing practitioner, we can assist you in reducing or tapering off any medications that are contraindicated, cause a reduced response to ketamine, or that you would like to stop taking due to negative side effects, ineffectiveness or price. You should not adjust your dose or frequency of use of any prescribed medication without first consulting with your prescribing practitioner.

Avoid any other mind-altering substances including, but not limited to, substances like CBD oil or alcohol the day of your procedure.