January 08, 2026

Ketamine Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide to Its Diverse Therapeutic Applications

Learn how hidden toxins may affect your wellbeing and how an at-home MDLifespan toxin test combined with PlasmaXchange TPE detox can help you uncover and reduce toxin burdens with personalized protocols available in New Jersey and New York.

Ketamine Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide to Its Diverse Therapeutic Applications

From Pain Relief to Depression

How Ketamine Works, What It May Help, and Which Compounded Options Fit Different Needs

For over 50 years, ketamine has been a trusted tool in medicine, valued for its unique properties and remarkable safety profile. Today, this potentially versatile medication is experiencing a renaissance, with expanding applications that reach far beyond its original use in anesthesia. From chronic pain management to breakthroughs in mental health conditions, ketamine may offer hope to patients who haven’t found relief through conventional approaches.

At Town & Country Compounding, we specialize in preparing customized ketamine formulations that make this therapy accessible for multiple therapeutic applications. As a top 1% accredited specialty compounding pharmacy, we’re committed to helping patients and healthcare providers understand the full spectrum of ketamine’s potential benefits.

Understanding ketamine: A unique therapeutic agent

Ketamine stands apart from most medications due to its distinctive mechanism of action and broad range of clinical applications. Originally developed as an anesthetic in the 1960s, ketamine has proven itself to be far more versatile than initially imagined. What makes it so unique is how it works in the brain and body, offering potential benefits through pathways that differ fundamentally from conventional therapies.

The science behind ketamine

Ketamine’s primary mechanism involves blocking NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors, which are specialized proteins in the nervous system that respond to glutamate—the brain’s most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter. By acting as a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, ketamine creates a cascade of neurological effects that translate into diverse therapeutic benefits.

Key mechanisms include:

Synaptic Plasticity Enhancement: Ketamine helps promote the brain’s ability to form new neural connections and reorganize existing pathways. This neuroplasticity is crucial for both mental health recovery and pain management, as it allows the nervous system to “rewire” unhealthy patterns.

BDNF Production: Ketamine increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports neuron survival, growth, and the formation of new synapses. This neuroprotective effect contributes to ketamine’s potentially long-lasting benefits across multiple conditions.

Compounded Ketamine Therapy May Address Depression and Chronic Pain

Multi-Receptor Activity: Beyond NMDA receptors, ketamine interacts with AMPA receptors, opioid receptors, and monoaminergic systems (including serotonin and dopamine pathways). This broad activity profile explains ketamine’s possible use for diverse conditions.

Central Sensitization Modulation: In pain management, ketamine’s ability to reduce central sensitization — where the nervous system amplifies pain signals — makes it particularly interesting for chronic pain conditions.

The evolution of ketamine in medicine

Ketamine received FDA approval as an anesthetic in 1970 and quickly became a cornerstone of surgical and emergency medicine worldwide. It’s even listed on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines due to its safety profile and effectiveness.

What makes ketamine exceptional as an anesthetic is its ability to provide sedation and pain relief while maintaining protective airway reflexes and cardiovascular stability. Unlike many anesthetics that lower blood pressure and breathing rate, ketamine often can maintain or even slightly elevate these vital functions, making it invaluable in emergency and battlefield medicine.

Over the past two decades, medical understanding of ketamine has expanded dramatically. Researchers and clinicians discovered that, at much lower doses than those used for anesthesia — typically 10–20% of anesthetic levels — ketamine may offer profound benefits for chronic pain and various mental health conditions. This discovery has revolutionized options for millions of patients who haven’t found relief through conventional therapies.

Therapeutic applications: A comprehensive overview

Important: The compounded ketamine formulations prepared by Town & Country Compounding are not FDA-approved. Compounded medications are not evaluated by the FDA for safety, efficacy, or quality. Compounded ketamine is prepared for individual patients pursuant to valid prescriptions from licensed healthcare providers.

Pain management: Relief when other options fall short

Chronic pain affects millions of Americans and represents one of the most challenging conditions to address effectively. Ketamine has emerged as a valuable tool for multiple pain conditions, particularly when conventional pain medications prove inadequate.

Conditions that may benefit

Neuropathic Pain: Nerve pain resulting from diabetes, shingles, nerve injuries, or other nerve damage often responds poorly to traditional pain medications. Ketamine’s NMDA-blocking action may interrupt the pain signals that characterize neuropathic conditions.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): This severe chronic pain condition, often triggered by injury or surgery, involves central sensitization that ketamine may help modulate. Some patients experience significant relief when other treatments have failed.

Fibromyalgia: The widespread pain and sensitivity characteristic of fibromyalgia may improve with ketamine therapy, as it addresses the central nervous system’s amplification of pain signals.

Cancer Pain: Ketamine may be particularly helpful for cancer-related pain that doesn’t respond adequately to opioids, either as a standalone therapy or in combination with other pain management approaches.

Perioperative Pain: For patients undergoing surgery, especially those who use chronic opioids or have difficult-to-control pain, ketamine may improve pain control and potentially reduce overall opioid requirements.

Phantom Limb Pain: Following amputation, many patients experience pain in the missing limb. Ketamine’s effects on neural pathways may sometimes provide relief from this challenging condition.

Note: Many pain management applications of ketamine are considered off-label uses, meaning they are not FDA-approved indications. Healthcare providers may prescribe medications off-label based on clinical judgment and supporting evidence.

How ketamine works for pain

Ketamine is thought to address pain through multiple mechanisms. By blocking NMDA receptors, it reduces “wind-up” — the process by which repeated pain signals become increasingly amplified in the spinal cord.

It also decreases central sensitization, where the central nervous system becomes overly responsive to pain signals. Additionally, ketamine may help “reset” maladaptive pain pathways that have developed over time.

Ketamine Therapy for Addressing Neuropathic and Chronic Pain

Unlike opioids, ketamine doesn’t carry the same risks of respiratory depression or fatal overdose, and it doesn’t typically lead to physical dependence in the same way. This makes it a potentially attractive option for long-term pain management, particularly for patients concerned about opioid use.

Administration for pain

Pain management with ketamine can involve various routes depending on the severity and type of pain:

  • Oral formulations for chronic, ongoing pain management
  • Sublingual lozenges for breakthrough pain or regular dosing
  • Intranasal formulations for rapid relief
  • IV infusions for severe, treatment-resistant pain (typically administered in clinical settings)

Treatment protocols vary widely based on individual needs, with some patients using ketamine daily and others using it intermittently or as needed for pain flares.

Mental health applications: Revolutionary approaches to treatment-resistant conditions

Ketamine has opened new frontiers in psychiatric therapies, offering hope to patients who haven’t found adequate relief through conventional medications and therapies.

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD)

When someone has tried multiple antidepressants at adequate doses without achieving remission, they’re considered to have treatment-resistant depression. This affects approximately one-third of people with major depressive disorder — millions of individuals who continue to struggle despite available treatments.

Ketamine may offer something fundamentally different. While traditional antidepressants work on serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine systems and typically take 4–8 weeks to show benefits, ketamine acts on the glutamate system and may produce meaningful improvements within hours to days.

Multiple studies suggest ketamine may be effective for TRD. Studies show significant response rates, with many patients experiencing substantial reduction in depressive symptoms. The number needed to treat (NNT) — a measure of how many patients need to be met for one to benefit — ranges from approximately 4–9, depending on the administration route and whether we’re measuring response (50% symptom reduction) or remission (near-complete symptom resolution) in clinical research settings. Individual outcomes with compounded formulations may vary.

Bipolar depression

Bipolar disorder presents unique therapy challenges. The depressive phases can be severe and prolonged, yet traditional antidepressants carry risks of triggering manic episodes. Ketamine may show promise for addressing bipolar depression with potentially lower risk of mood destabilization, though research continues to evolve in this area.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

PTSD involves complex changes in how the brain processes memories and threat responses. Emerging research suggests ketamine may help reduce PTSD symptoms including intrusive memories, hyperarousal, nightmares, and avoidance behaviors. The mechanisms may relate to ketamine’s effects on memory reconsolidation — the process by which memories can be modified or weakened — and fear extinction, the gradual reduction of fear responses.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

OCD often proves resistant to first-line therapies. Preliminary research indicates ketamine may provide rapid reduction in obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, possibly through its effects on glutamatergic neurotransmission and neural circuit function.

Anxiety disorders

While research is still developing, some studies suggest ketamine may benefit various anxiety conditions, from generalized anxiety disorder to social anxiety. The rapid onset of effects makes it potentially interesting for acute anxiety states.

Substance use disorders

Emerging evidence suggests ketamine may help with alcohol use disorder and potentially other substance dependencies. The mechanisms likely involve both direct neurobiological effects and the drug’s ability to facilitate psychological processing during therapy sessions.

Acute suicidality

One of ketamine’s most remarkable properties is its rapid effect on suicidal ideation. In emergency situations where patients experience acute suicidal thoughts, ketamine may provide faster relief than traditional interventions, potentially serving as a bridge until other therapies take effect. This rapid action may be potentially life-saving.

Note: With the exception of esketamine (Spravato) for treatment-resistant depression, the mental health applications discussed represent off-label uses of ketamine based on clinical research and provider judgment.

How ketamine works for mental health

For mental health conditions, ketamine’s potential therapeutic effects appear to involve multiple interconnected mechanisms:

  • Rapid increase in synaptic connections in brain regions affected by depression and trauma
  • Enhanced neuroplasticity allowing the brain to form new, healthier patterns
  • Increased BDNF supporting brain resilience and recovery
  • Possible disruption of rumination patterns and negative thought loops
  • Creation of a unique mental state that may facilitate psychological processing and insight

Many clinicians believe the subjective effects of ketamine — including mild dissociation — may contribute to therapeutic benefits by allowing patients to gain new perspectives on their experiences and break free from rigid thought patterns.

Emerging applications and ongoing research

The scientific community continues investigating ketamine for additional applications, including:

  • Migraine and cluster headaches
  • Eating disorders
  • Cognitive enhancement in certain conditions
  • Autism-related challenges
  • Traumatic brain injury recovery

While research in these areas is preliminary, the findings remain promising and underscore ketamine’s remarkable versatility.

Note: These applications are investigational and not established treatments. They represent areas of ongoing research.

Administration routes: Customized options for individual needs

At Town & Country Compounding, we prepare ketamine in multiple formulations to address diverse therapeutic needs. Each administration route offers potential advantages depending on your condition, goals, and lifestyle.

Ketamine Oral Capsules

Ketamine is a drug that has many uses and Town & Country Compounding has experience compounding it into various dosage forms.

This medication requires a prescription.

Oral ketamine: Convenient and accessible

What It Is: Oral ketamine comes as capsules or liquid solutions that you swallow. We compound these formulations in precise doses based on your prescriber’s specifications.

May Be Best For:

  • Chronic pain management requiring consistent daily medication
  • Long-term mental health
  • Patients seeking at-home convenience
  • Maintenance therapy after initial response
  • Cost-effective long-term therapy

How It Works: After swallowing, oral ketamine absorbs through the gastrointestinal tract and undergoes first-pass metabolism in the liver before reaching the bloodstream. This affects both the required dose and the onset of effects.

Timeline: Effects typically begin within 30–90 minutes and can last 4–6 hours depending on dose. For mental health applications, maximum therapeutic benefits may often appear after 2–6 weeks of repeated dosing.

The Evidence: Meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials demonstrate oral ketamine’s potential effectiveness across multiple conditions. For depression, studies show NNT for response of approximately 4.9. For pain management, research supports oral ketamine as an effective option for various chronic pain conditions.

Potential Advantages:

  • Familiar administration method
  • Flexible dosing schedules
  • Can be taken at home
  • Generally more affordable than clinic-based therapies
  • Good absorption and bioavailability
  • Suitable for long-term use

Considerations:

  • Slower onset than sublingual, intranasal, or IV routes
  • Some variability in absorption between individuals
  • Requires consistent adherence to dosing schedule

Side Effects: Generally well-tolerated with mild, transient effects including slight dizziness, nausea, mild dissociation (feeling slightly detached), and sedation. These typically occur within 1–2 hours of dosing and resolve relatively quickly.

Sublingual Ketamine Lozenges

Ketamine in a lozenge form offers practitioners and patients an option to take their ketamine doses at home, under medical supervision.

This medication requires a prescription.

Sublingual ketamine: Rapid absorption with convenience

What It Is: Sublingual ketamine dissolves under your tongue as lozenges or rapid-dissolve tablets, absorbing directly through the mucous membranes.

May Be Best For:

  • Breakthrough pain episodes requiring faster relief
  • Mental health conditions needing relatively rapid onset
  • Patients who prefer to avoid swallowing pills
  • At-home therapy with faster action than oral route
  • Those seeking middle ground between oral and intranasal

How It Works: By bypassing the digestive system and avoiding first-pass liver metabolism, sublingual administration delivers ketamine more directly into the bloodstream, resulting in potentially faster onset and more efficient dosing.

Timeline: Effects typically begin within 15–45 minutes, faster than oral but generally slower than intranasal administration.

The Evidence: Studies examining sublingual ketamine show promising results. Research indicates nearly half of patients with depression may achieve significant improvement after just three to six doses. For pain management, clinical experience supports sublingual ketamine’s potential effectiveness for various chronic pain conditions.

Potential Advantages:

  • Faster absorption than oral formulations
  • Convenient at-home use
  • May require lower doses than oral administration
  • Bypasses gastrointestinal side effects
  • Increasingly popular for various applications
  • Alternative therapy when oral route is problematic

Considerations:

  • Must hold under tongue for 10–15 minutes without swallowing
  • Taste may be unpleasant (we can add flavoring)
  • Requires remaining still during dissolution
  • Some saliva management needed

Side Effects: Similar to oral ketamine — mild dissociation, dizziness, nausea — with no serious adverse events reported in properly monitored use.

Compounded Intranasal Ketamine

Ketamine is a drug that has many uses and Town & Country Compounding has experience compounding it into various dosage forms.

This medication requires a prescription.

Intranasal ketamine: Fast-acting relief

What It Is: Intranasal ketamine is administered as a nasal spray. This includes both compounded intranasal ketamine and FDA-approved esketamine (Spravato®) for treatment-resistant depression.

May Be Best For:

  • Pain episodes requiring rapid relief
  • Treatment-resistant depression needing fast symptom improvement
  • Acute suicidal ideation (in monitored settings)
  • Conditions where rapid onset is therapeutically important
  • Patients who prefer intranasal to oral/sublingual routes

How It Works: Sprayed into the nostrils, ketamine rapidly absorbs through the nasal mucosa directly into the bloodstream. Like sublingual administration, it avoids first-pass metabolism.

Timeline: Effects can begin within 10–30 minutes, making this the fastest-acting non-IV option.

The Evidence: Robust research supports intranasal ketamine for treatment-resistant depression and various pain conditions. Multiple randomized controlled trials demonstrate rapid onset often within hours.

FDA-Approved Esketamine: FDA-Approved Esketamine (Spravato®): Received FDA approval in 2019 for treatment-resistant depression and in 2020 for major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation. Due to REMS requirements, it must be administered in certified healthcare settings with two-hour monitoring.

Compounded Intranasal Ketamine: For patients whose healthcare providers determine that compounded formulations are medically necessary — such as those requiring alternative dosing strengths, combinations, or formulations not commercially available — we prepare intranasal ketamine pursuant to valid prescriptions. Compounded ketamine is not FDA-approved and should only be used when an FDA-approved product is not medically appropriate for the patient.

Potential Advantages:

  • Fastest onset among non-IV routes
  • Well-established efficacy in research
  • Convenient spray administration
  • Suitable for breakthrough symptoms
  • Compounded versions may offer more accessibility

Considerations:

  • Effects can be more intense than oral/sublingual
  • May cause temporary nasal irritation or congestion
  • FDA-approved version requires clinic visits
  • Typically more expensive than oral/sublingual options

Side Effects: Transient dissociation, dizziness, headache, nausea, temporary blood pressure increases, and sedation. Effects are generally dose-dependent, peak within the first hour, and resolve within 1–2 hours.

Understanding side effects and safety

Understanding what to expect helps you approach ketamine therapy with realistic expectations and confidence, regardless of your therapy indication.

Controlled Substance Information: Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance under federal law. Prescribing, dispensing, and use are subject to DEA and state regulations. As with all controlled substances, there is potential for abuse, misuse, and diversion. Patients prescribed ketamine must:

  • Follow prescriber instructions exactly
  • Store medication securely
  • Never share medication with others
  • Dispose of unused medication properly
  • Inform prescribers of any history of substance abuse

Common side effects across all routes

Dissociation: The most distinctive ketamine effect, ranging from mild detachment to more pronounced alterations in perception. The degree varies significantly based on dose, administration route, and individual sensitivity. Most dissociative effects resolve within 1–2 hours.

For some patients, mild dissociation is neutral or even pleasant; for others, especially initially, it may feel unusual or unsettling. The good news is that effects are often predictable, time-limited, and decrease with repeated exposure as you become accustomed to the sensation.

Physical Side Effects:

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Mild nausea (usually without vomiting)
  • Headache
  • Temporary blood pressure and heart rate increases
  • Sedation or drowsiness
  • Blurred vision
  • Increased salivation

These effects are typically mild, dose-dependent, and resolve within hours. Taking ketamine in a comfortable environment and avoiding activities requiring alertness during and shortly after dosing minimizes discomfort.

Safety profile and monitoring

Ketamine has been used safely in medicine for over 50 years in millions of patients worldwide, including children and older adults. For therapeutic applications beyond anesthesia, doses are much lower — typically 10–20% of anesthetic levels. At these subanesthetic doses, serious adverse events are rare.

Cardiovascular Monitoring: Ketamine can temporarily increase blood pressure and heart rate. For most patients, these changes are mild and clinically insignificant. However, those with uncontrolled hypertension, recent heart attacks, or certain cardiac conditions may need additional monitoring or may not be suitable candidates.

Abuse Potential: As a Schedule III controlled substance, ketamine has potential for misuse. However, when used as prescribed under medical supervision, the risk of developing substance use disorder is low. Appropriate screening and monitoring minimize this risk.

Long-Term Considerations: Long-term, high-dose recreational use has been associated with bladder problems, but these complications have not been observed with the controlled doses and patterns typical of therapeutic use. For long-term therapy, periodic monitoring ensures continued safety.

Cognitive Effects: Research on therapeutic doses has not found lasting negative effects on memory or cognition. Some studies even suggest potential cognitive benefits, likely related to improvement in underlying conditions.

Who should not use ketamine

Ketamine may not be appropriate for everyone. General contraindications include:

  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • Recent heart attack or unstable cardiac conditions
  • History of psychosis or schizophrenia
  • Active substance abuse
  • Increased intracranial pressure
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding (limited safety data)
  • Severe liver disease

Certain medications may interact with ketamine, including MAO inhibitors, stimulants, and other CNS-active drugs. Your healthcare provider will review all current medications and supplements.

This list is not exhaustive. Your healthcare provider will review your complete medical history to determine if ketamine is safe and appropriate for your situation.

The therapy journey: What to expect

Initial consultation and assessment

Ketamine therapy begins with thorough evaluation by your healthcare provider, including:

  • Comprehensive medical and relevant psychiatric history
  • Review of previous therapies and their outcomes
  • Current medications and potential interactions
  • Physical examination and potentially lab work
  • Discussion of therapy goals and expectations
  • Education about ketamine, potential side effects, and monitoring plans

Starting ketamine therapy: Finding your optimal protocol

Most ketamine protocols involve an initial phase with more frequent dosing to establish potential effectiveness, followed by maintenance therapy. The exact protocol depends on your condition, administration route, and individual response.

For Chronic Pain: Therapy might begin with daily or several-times-weekly dosing, with adjustments based on pain relief. Some patients eventually use ketamine as needed for pain flares, while others may benefit from regular scheduled dosing.

For Mental Health Conditions: Initial protocols often involve 1–3 doses per week for several weeks, with gradual titration to find your optimal dose. Response patterns vary, with some patients noticing improvements within days and others requiring several weeks.

During this phase, you’ll work closely with your prescriber to optimize your regimen. Tracking symptoms, side effects, and overall function helps guide treatment adjustments.

Creating a safe environment

For at-home therapies, environment matters:

  • Choose a quiet, comfortable space without disturbances
  • Have a trusted person nearby, especially initially
  • Avoid activities requiring alertness for several hours after dosing
  • Consider soft lighting and comfortable seating
  • Keep water available
  • Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs
  • Keep a journal to track experiences and symptom changes

Maintenance therapy

Once you’ve achieved positive results, the focus shifts to maintaining improvements. Maintenance protocols are highly individualized. Some patients continue regular dosing indefinitely, while others can reduce frequency, take breaks, or use ketamine intermittently as needed.

The goal is always using the minimum effective therapy necessary to maintain your well-being, ideally in combination with other therapeutic approaches.

Integrating ketamine with comprehensive care

Ketamine typically works best as part of a comprehensive therapy approach:

  • Continuing appropriate medications for your condition
  • Psychotherapy when relevant to your situation
  • Physical therapy or rehabilitation for pain conditions
  • Lifestyle interventions (exercise, sleep hygiene, stress management, nutrition)
  • Other therapies specific to your needs

The compounding advantage:
Why choose Town & Country Compounding

As a top 1% accredited specialty compounding pharmacy, Town & Country Compounding offers distinct advantages for ketamine therapy across all applications.

Customization and flexibility

Unlike commercial products with fixed doses, we customize your ketamine prescription to your exact needs:

  • Precise dose adjustments in smaller increments
  • Multiple dosage forms (capsules, solutions, lozenges, troches, nasal sprays)
  • Flavor options for sublingual and oral formulations
  • Dye-free or allergen-free formulations when needed
  • Combination formulations when prescribed
  • Strength adjustments as your therapy evolves

Quality and accreditation

Our pharmacy maintains rigorous quality standards:

  • Pharmaceutical-grade ingredients from FDA-registered suppliers
  • USP <795> and <797> standards for compounding
  • Regular quality testing and verification
  • Climate-controlled compounding facilities
  • Detailed documentation and batch tracking
  • Adherence to all safety and regulatory requirements

Expert consultation and support

When you work with Town & Country Compounding, you gain a knowledgeable partner:

  • Detailed answers to questions about your formulation
  • Guidance on proper administration techniques
  • Troubleshooting assistance for any medication issues
  • Resources and education about your therapy

Important: Town & Country Compounding does not prescribe ketamine. All ketamine therapy must be initiated and managed by a licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority. We fill prescriptions written by your provider and provide medication counseling and support.

Insurance Coverage: Compounded medications are generally not covered by insurance plans. Patients should expect to pay out-of-pocket for compounded ketamine formulations. For some patients, FDA-approved esketamine (Spravato) may be covered by insurance, though coverage varies and may require prior authorization. Your healthcare provider and insurance company can help you understand your coverage options.

Taking your next step

If you’re considering ketamine therapy for any application, the first step is an informed conversation with an appropriate healthcare provider. Come prepared with questions:

  • Given my condition and treatment history, am I a good candidate for ketamine?
  • Which administration route would you recommend, and why?
  • What would the therapy schedule look like?
  • How will we monitor my response and adjust therapy?
  • What are realistic expectations for my situation?
  • How does ketamine fit into my overall plan?
  • What are the costs, and does insurance cover any of it?

Your provider can help you weigh potential benefits against risks specific to your situation and make an informed decision about whether to pursue ketamine therapy.

Connect with Town & Country Compounding

At Town & Country Compounding, we’re passionate about expanding access to medications that may improve lives. Our experience with ketamine therapy across multiple applications has shown us the profound impact it may have for people seeking better solutions.

Whether you’re a patient researching options or a healthcare provider seeking a reliable compounding partner, we’re here to support you.

Call us: Speak directly with our knowledgeable pharmacy team who can answer questions and guide you through the process.

Talk to your provider: If you’re interested in ketamine therapy, start the conversation with your physician, psychiatrist, pain specialist, or other healthcare provider. If they’d like to learn more about prescribing compounded ketamine, we’re happy to provide resources and consultation.

If conventional approaches haven’t provided the relief you need, ketamine therapy may offer new possibilities — and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Town & Country Compounding: A top 1% accredited specialty compounding pharmacy serving Ramsey, New Jersey and the surrounding region. We compound quality solutions for your unique healthcare needs.

References and sources

  1. Zhang Y, Ye F, Zhang T, et al. Structural Basis of Ketamine Action on Human NMDA Receptors. Nature. 2021;596(7871):301-305. Link
  2. Quintero JM, Bustos RH, Lechtig-Wassermann S, Beltran S, Zarate CA. Ketamine in Clinical Practice: Transitioning From Anesthetic Agent to Psychiatric Therapeutic. CNS Spectrums. 2025;30(1):e51. Link
  3. Gibuła-Tarłowska E, Wiszniewska A, Turyk M, et al. Ketamine-From an Anesthetic to a Psychiatric Drug: Mechanisms of Action, Clinical Applications and Potential Risks. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2025;30(13):2824. Link
  4. Ketalar. Food and Drug Administration. Updated date: 2025-10-17.
  5. Marwaha S, Palmer E, Suppes T, et al. Novel and Emerging Treatments for Major Depression. Lancet (London, England). 2023;401(10371):141-153. Link
  6. Rhanda Brockington DNP FNP-BC, Andrew Buelt DO, Vincent Capaldi MD MSc FAPA FACP, et al. Management of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (2022). Department of Veterans Affairs.
  7. McQuaid JR, Buelt A, Capaldi V, et al. The Management of Major Depressive Disorder: Synopsis of the 2022 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guideline. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2022;175(10):1440-1451. Link
  8. Johnston JN, Kadriu B, Kraus C, Henter ID, Zarate CA. Ketamine in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: An Update. Neuropsychopharmacology : Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. 2024;49(1):23-40. Link
  9. Silberbauer LR, Eggerstorfer B, Michenthaler P, et al. Oral Ketamine for the Treatment of Major Depressive and Bipolar Disorder, a Randomized Controlled Trial and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2025:120466. Link
  10. Andrade C. Oral Ketamine for Depression, 1: Pharmacologic Considerations and Clinical Evidence. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2019;80(2):19f12820. Link
  11. Meshkat S, Haikazian S, Di Vincenzo JD, et al. Oral Ketamine for Depression: An Updated Systematic Review. The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry : The Official Journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry. 2023 Sep-Oct;24(7):545-557. Link
  12. Rosenblat JD, Carvalho AF, Li M, et al. Oral Ketamine for Depression: A Systematic Review. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2019;80(3):18r12475. Link
  13. Hassan K, Struthers WM, Sankarabhotla A, Davis P. Safety, Effectiveness and Tolerability of Sublingual Ketamine in Depression and Anxiety: A Retrospective Study of Off-Label, at-Home Use. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2022;13:992624. Link
  14. FDA Orange Book. FDA Orange Book.
  15. Das J. Repurposing of Drugs-the Ketamine Story. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 2020;63(22):13514-13525. Link
  16. McIntyre RS, Carvalho IP, Lui LMW, et al. The Effect of Intravenous, Intranasal, and Oral Ketamine in Mood Disorders: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2020;276:576-584. Link
  17. An D, Wei C, Wang J, Wu A. Intranasal Ketamine for Depression in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials. Frontiers in Psychology. 2021;12:648691. Link
  18. Ceban F, Rosenblat JD, Kratiuk K, et al. Prevention and Management of Common Adverse Effects of Ketamine and Esketamine in Patients With Mood Disorders. CNS Drugs. 2021;35(9):925-934. Link

This blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. The information presented should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with questions regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information you have read on this website. Town & Country Compounding Pharmacy does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information mentioned in this content.