The drug ketamine is utilized every day in the medical field for various applications in pain management, emergency medicine, anesthesia, and in certain psychiatric conditions.
Sublingual Administration of ketamine, where the drug is placed under the tongue and absorbed through the mucous membranes, is often prescribed because of its convenience, rapid absorption, and potential for home use.
Maintenance Dosing of Ketamine
Patients with depression who respond well to intravenous (IV) ketamine therapy will usually require maintenance doses, due to the potential for relapse.
IV ketamine is often not practical for maintenance, so it may be necessary to prescribe ketamine in a different dosage form for home use, such as a sublingual ketamine lozenge (troche).
Prescribers should be aware of dosage range considerations and work with a pharmacy that is familiar with the pharmacokinetic properties of ketamine.
We compound ketamine lozenges for use under the tongue
Some healthcare providers prescribe ketamine lozenges or troches that are dissolved under the tongue.
Ketamine administration allows for relatively rapid absorption of ketamine directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. It can be more comfortable for patients who prefer not to use nasal sprays or injections.
Ketamine in a lozenge form offers practitioners and patients an option to take their ketamine doses at home, under medical supervision.
Patients who use ketamine for pain management or other uses may start their therapy with a lozenge rather than ever getting the IV form of ketamine.
Potential benefits of ketamine lozenges
- Allows for rapid absorption of ketamine directly into the bloodstream through the rich network of blood vessels under the tongue.
- May have fewer side effects due to lower peak plasma concentrations compared to intravenous administration, potentially leading to a more controlled and manageable experience.
- Is a non-invasive method that can be more convenient for patients compared to intravenous or intramuscular routes. No needles necessary.
- May offer the possibility of patients taking ketamine doses at home under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Check out other forms of ketamine at Town & Country Compounding
- Nasal spray
- Troches
- Mini-troches
- Ketamine injection
- Ketamine infusion (IV)
- Ketamine vials
- Oral capsules
- Rapid dissolve tablets (RDTs)
