Phone: (949)392-0159

Ketamine IV Maintenance Therapy For Optimal Mental Health

A “Booster” Dose of Ketamine IV Therapy Can Have a Significant Antidepressant Effect Within Hours of the Infusion and Bring Much Needed Relief to Patients Who are Struggling to Get Through the Holidays During a Pandemic

We often talk about the well-defined efficacy of subanesthetic doses of IV ketamine therapy in patients with treatment resistant depression. For some patients, a single series of six ketamine infusions over the course of two weeks is long lasting and they never need another dose. For others, an occasional “booster” dose may be needed in order to maintain optimal mental health.

A booster dose, also known as ketamine IV maintenance therapy, is best delivered when a patient still feels good, but not good enough. The goal of maintenance therapy is just that—using ketamine IV therapy to “maintain” optimal mental and emotional health.

Because each patient is unique in his/her response to ketamine IV therapy, there is not a prescribed timeframe for a maintenance dose. Instead, each patient should self-monitor as well as check-in with his/her clinician on an ongoing basis. If symptoms of depression start to return and the patient’s condition warrants a booster infusion, we will partner with you to assess the patient and prescribe maintenance therapy as appropriate.

A major benefit of ketamine IV therapy for both initial and maintenance therapy is the robust and rapid antidepressant effect often seen within hours of the infusion.1 This can quickly bring the patient back to his/her optimal level of mental health, once again providing hope, motivation and connectedness to friends, family, and co-workers.

Repeated ketamine infusions have cumulative and sustained antidepressant effects2 thereby giving patients confidence that their depression symptoms can be adequately managed.

If you have a patient who has exhausted all treatment options for depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders, ketamine IV therapy may be a great next step.

1 A randomized trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist in treatment-resistant major depression.
2  Single, Repeated, and Maintenance Ketamine Infusions for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Take the first step today.

Iris Mejia, RN

Iris Mejia, RN, is a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Hawaii Maui College. With 21 years of experience as a Labor and Delivery nurse, she developed a keen interest in mental health nursing. Her firsthand experience with ketamine infusion therapy led her to pursue her passion in this field.

Iris is dedicated to helping patients achieve their optimal well-being through compassionate care and evidence-based practices.

Outside of work, Iris enjoys practicing yoga, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.

Susan DeRobertis,
BSN, BSN, PMHRN-BC

Susan DeRobertis, BSN, BSN, PMHRN-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Registered Nurse and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Cal State Fullerton.

Susan’s commitment to mental health and wellness is driven by a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those struggling with mood disorders. Having witnessed firsthand the limitations of traditional therapies for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mood and chronic pain disorders, she is an advocate of ketamine infusion therapy as a transformative treatment option. Susan is passionate about supporting individuals and their families through their mental health journeys and continues to be excited when she sees firsthand the positive changes that ketamine therapy can bring.

Over the past decade, Susan has dedicated herself to providing care at the Mental Health and Wellness Institute at Mission Hospital Laguna Beach. She is also a nursing instructor at the University of California, Irvine.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Susan is a devoted mother, a talented musician, and an avid live music fan. She finds joy in spending quality time with her daughters, traveling, and attending concerts.