What is Ketamine Treatment?
Ketamine is an anaesthetic agent that has emerged in recent years as one of the most significant advances in the treatment of depression. It works in a fundamentally different way to conventional antidepressants — acting on the brain's glutamate system rather than the serotonin or noradrenaline pathways — and can produce rapid, dramatic improvements in mood, often within hours or days rather than weeks.
Ketamine therapy is primarily used for treatment-resistant depression — depression that has not responded adequately to two or more conventional antidepressant medications. It can also be beneficial in treating other conditions including bipolar depression and anxiety disorders.
Dr Vimal Sivasanker has considerable expertise in ketamine therapy and follows evidence-based protocols, ensuring that treatment is administered safely and with appropriate monitoring.
Important: Ketamine treatment is only offered following a thorough psychiatric assessment. Dr Sivasanker will assess your suitability and discuss the risks, benefits and alternatives with you before any treatment is initiated.
Enquire About Ketamine Treatment
Book an assessment with Dr Sivasanker to discuss ketamine therapy.
Request Consultation 020 3488 0809The Science Behind Ketamine
Rapid Action
Unlike conventional antidepressants which may take 4–6 weeks to work, ketamine can produce significant mood improvements within hours to days — making it particularly valuable in severe depression.
Novel Mechanism
Ketamine works by blocking NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors in the brain and promoting glutamate activity, triggering neuroplasticity — the growth of new neural connections.
Evidence-Based
There is a growing and robust body of clinical evidence supporting ketamine's effectiveness in treatment-resistant depression, with response rates of 50–70% in eligible patients.
What to Expect
Initial Psychiatric Assessment
A thorough consultation with Dr Sivasanker to assess your symptoms, history, previous treatments and suitability for ketamine therapy.
Medical Screening
Physical health checks and review of medications to ensure ketamine is safe for you. This may include blood tests, blood pressure monitoring and ECG.
Treatment Sessions
Ketamine is administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion in a clinical setting, typically over 40–60 minutes. A course usually involves 6 infusions over 2–3 weeks.
Monitoring & Review
Dr Sivasanker monitors your progress throughout the course and reviews your response. Maintenance sessions may be recommended for sustained benefit.
Who is Ketamine Treatment For?
Ketamine therapy may be suitable for you if you have:
- ✓ Depression that has not responded to two or more antidepressant medications (treatment-resistant depression)
- ✓ Severe depression requiring rapid improvement
- ✓ Bipolar depression not responding to mood stabilisers
- ✓ Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with depressive features
Ketamine is not suitable for everyone. Those with active substance misuse, certain medical conditions or a history of psychosis may not be eligible. Dr Sivasanker will conduct a thorough assessment before recommending treatment.
Book an AssessmentKetamine Therapy Explained
Ketamine Treatment — Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Ketamine is a licensed medicine in the UK and its use for depression is a well-recognised, evidence-based off-label treatment. It is administered by or under the supervision of qualified medical practitioners in a clinical setting.
When administered in a controlled clinical setting by a qualified psychiatrist, ketamine is considered safe for appropriate patients. Dr Sivasanker follows strict protocols and comprehensive pre-treatment screening to minimise risks. Side effects can include dissociative experiences during the infusion, raised blood pressure and nausea, but these are temporary and monitored carefully.
A standard course typically involves 6 intravenous infusions, administered over approximately 2–3 weeks. The response to treatment is assessed throughout. Some patients benefit from maintenance infusions after the initial course to sustain the improvements.
Many patients notice a significant improvement in mood within 24 hours of their first or second infusion. This rapid effect is one of ketamine's most remarkable characteristics and is particularly valuable for those in acute distress.
Fees for ketamine treatment include an initial psychiatric assessment and then individual infusion sessions. Please visit our Fees page or contact us directly for current pricing.
There is emerging evidence that ketamine may be beneficial for anxiety disorders, particularly when they co-occur with depression. Dr Sivasanker will assess your full presentation and advise on whether ketamine is likely to be beneficial for your individual situation.