Ketamine Therapy in Cleveland

IV ketamine infusion for depression, PTSD, and chronic pain

Request a Consultation Call 216-755-4044

IV ketamine infusion at CarePoint Infusion Center

When depression, PTSD, or chronic pain has not responded to the treatments you have already tried, ketamine works through a completely different mechanism than the medications you have likely been prescribed. CarePoint Infusion Center provides medically supervised IV ketamine infusions at our Beachwood location, a short drive from downtown Cleveland, Shaker Heights, and University Circle.

We are an infusion center rather than a wellness clinic. Every treatment is delivered by experienced infusion nurses with continuous vital sign monitoring, in the same medical environment where we administer biologics, IVIG, and other complex therapies.

Two options for treatment-resistant depression

We offer both IV ketamine and SPRAVATO® (esketamine) nasal spray. The practical difference is usually coverage: IV ketamine is off-label and typically self-pay, while SPRAVATO is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and is generally billable to insurance. We will help you weigh both.

How ketamine works

Conventional antidepressants raise levels of serotonin or norepinephrine, a process that usually takes four to six weeks to produce noticeable benefit. Ketamine acts on an entirely different system.

Ketamine blocks N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, part of the brain's glutamate network. This triggers a downstream cascade that promotes neuroplasticity, helping to rebuild the synaptic connections between neurons that chronic stress and prolonged depression can erode. Because this repairs the physical infrastructure of neural communication rather than simply adjusting a chemical signal, relief can appear far faster than with a daily pill. (Zarate et al., 2012, American Journal of Psychiatry)

The science behind the rapid effect

Research from Yale University School of Medicine has shown that ketamine rapidly restores synaptic connections in brain cells damaged by chronic stress and depression. This neuroplasticity effect is what distinguishes ketamine from conventional antidepressants and explains its speed of action. (Duman et al., 2016, Molecular Psychiatry)

Conditions we treat

Ketamine infusion is not a first-line treatment. It is generally reserved for conditions where standard therapies have not produced adequate relief.

Mental health conditions

  • Treatment-resistant depression — depression that has not responded to two or more adequate antidepressant trials. Across clinical trials, roughly 50–70% of patients respond to a course of IV ketamine, meaning at least a 50% reduction in symptom scores. (McGirr et al., 2015, Journal of Clinical Psychiatry)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder — ketamine may reduce intrusive thoughts and hypervigilance by influencing how fear memories are reconsolidated. Read more about ketamine for PTSD and trauma.
  • Anxiety disorders — including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder. See our page on ketamine for anxiety disorders.
  • Bipolar depression — research indicates ketamine can help the depressive phase of bipolar disorder without triggering mania when carefully administered and monitored. (Diazgranados et al., 2010, Biological Psychiatry)
  • Acute suicidal ideation — studies show ketamine can rapidly reduce suicidal thoughts, often within 24 hours, as part of a broader psychiatric care plan.

Chronic pain conditions

  • Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) — one of the best-studied applications of ketamine infusion for pain. See our research on CRPS duration and ketamine response.
  • Fibromyalgia — patients often report reduced widespread pain and improved daily function.
  • Neuropathic pain — including diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, and nerve injury pain.
  • Refractory migraine and chronic headache — ketamine can help interrupt persistent headache cycles. For headache-specific care, see our migraine infusion therapy.
  • Post-surgical and refractory pain — particularly where conventional pain management has failed.

Learn more about the evidence base on our ketamine for chronic pain research page.

Is ketamine right for you?

A thorough evaluation comes before any treatment decision. Ketamine tends to be a reasonable option if you have a diagnosed condition from the list above, have tried standard treatments without adequate relief, and are medically stable enough for a monitored infusion.

When ketamine is not appropriate

We will not proceed with IV ketamine, or will require clearance from your specialist first, if you have:

  • Uncontrolled or severe high blood pressure, or unstable cardiovascular disease
  • A history of aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation, or intracerebral hemorrhage
  • Active psychosis or a primary psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia
  • Significant liver disease, or active interstitial cystitis and other bladder conditions
  • Untreated hyperthyroidism, or increased intracranial or intraocular pressure
  • Current pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Active, untreated substance use disorder involving ketamine or similar agents

If you are in crisis right now

Ketamine therapy is scheduled outpatient care, not emergency treatment. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency department.

What to expect

Initial consultation

Treatment begins with a comprehensive medical evaluation. We review your medical history, current medications, previous treatments, and symptoms to determine whether ketamine is appropriate, discuss your goals, and build a treatment plan. If SPRAVATO looks like the better fit, we will say so.

Treatment schedule

Most patients begin with a series of approximately six infusions over two to three weeks. This induction phase establishes therapeutic benefit and lets us optimize your dose. Each infusion runs about 40 to 60 minutes, and you should plan to be at the clinic for roughly two hours in total, including check-in, IV placement, and recovery.

During your infusion

You will settle into a reclining chair in a private treatment room, and a small IV catheter is placed. A provider monitors you continuously throughout. Most patients experience some combination of:

  • Mild dissociation, or a feeling of detachment from your body or surroundings
  • Deep relaxation and reduced anxiety
  • Altered sense of time or space
  • Vivid thoughts, imagery, or a dreamlike quality
  • A temporary rise in blood pressure, which we track closely

These effects are temporary and fade shortly after the infusion ends. Many patients describe the experience as peaceful, meditative, or insightful. For a fuller account, read what ketamine therapy feels like.

After your treatment

You will rest in our recovery area for 15 to 30 minutes until the effects fully dissipate. You must arrange for someone to drive you home, and you should not drive or operate machinery for the remainder of the day. Most patients return to normal activities the next day.

Response timeline

Many patients notice improvement within hours to days of the first infusion, and for depression the benefit of a single infusion often peaks around 24 to 48 hours. Response is not universal. Some people need the cumulative effect of several sessions before the change becomes clear, and for chronic pain, relief typically builds progressively across the series.

Maintenance

After the initial series we evaluate your response together. Many patients benefit from periodic maintenance infusions, spaced anywhere from a few weeks to a few months apart depending on how long the benefit holds. Ketamine works best as part of an ongoing plan that includes therapy and psychiatric care, not as a standalone fix.

For general patient information, visit our Patients / Guests page.

Why we use IV administration

Ketamine can be delivered several ways, and the route materially affects how much medication reaches your bloodstream and how predictable the dose is.

Route Bioavailability Notes
Intravenous (IV) 100% Precise dosing with real-time adjustment during the session, predictable onset, continuous monitoring. The route used in most clinical research. This is what we offer.
Intranasal (esketamine) ~45–50% FDA-approved as SPRAVATO® for treatment-resistant depression, so usually insurance-covered. Self-administered under observation with a required two-hour monitoring period.
Intramuscular (IM) ~93% High absorption but the dose cannot be adjusted once injected, and it can be more uncomfortable than an IV.
Oral / sublingual ~20–25% Lowest and least predictable absorption due to first-pass liver metabolism, making consistent dosing difficult. See why oral ketamine has limited effectiveness.

We built our depression and pain protocols around IV administration because complete bioavailability allows precise, adjustable dosing and because the bulk of the clinical evidence for ketamine in depression and pain comes from IV studies. (Newport et al., 2015, American Journal of Psychiatry) That said, effectiveness is not the only consideration — for a detailed comparison including the insurance trade-off, see IV ketamine vs. intranasal esketamine.

Benefits and realistic expectations

Rapid onset

Where traditional antidepressants need four to six weeks, many patients feel a shift within hours to days of the first infusion. For someone in acute distress, that speed matters.

Meaningful response rates

Across clinical trials, roughly 50–70% of patients with treatment-resistant depression respond to ketamine. Real-world registries report somewhat lower figures, closer to 45–50%. (Murrough et al., 2013, JAMA Psychiatry)

Reduced suicidal ideation

Studies show ketamine can rapidly reduce suicidal thoughts, often within 24 hours, which makes it valuable alongside comprehensive psychiatric care. (Wilkinson et al., 2018, American Journal of Psychiatry)

Opioid-sparing for pain

For chronic pain, ketamine can reduce reliance on opioid medications by interrupting pain signaling and reducing central sensitization. (Niesters et al., 2014, Pain)

Works alongside your current care

Ketamine can generally be combined with psychotherapy and existing medications, and often makes therapy more productive during the weeks that follow.

Coordinated with your team

We communicate with your referring psychiatrist, pain specialist, or primary care provider throughout, and send treatment documentation back to their office.

What ketamine does not do

Ketamine is not a cure, and it is not effective for everyone. Remission — symptoms falling low enough that you no longer meet criteria for depression — is a higher bar than response, and fewer patients reach it. Benefits also fade without maintenance for most people. The best outcomes come from pairing infusions with ongoing therapy and psychiatric care.

Safety, side effects, and risks

Ketamine has been used in medicine for over 50 years and has a well-characterized safety profile at the low doses used for depression and pain. Being clear about the risks is part of using it responsibly.

Common short-term effects

Dissociation, dizziness or vertigo, altered perception, nausea, headache, and a temporary increase in blood pressure and heart rate. These are monitored throughout and typically resolve within 15 to 30 minutes of the infusion ending.

Risks with frequent or long-term use

  • Urinary and bladder effects — frequent or high-dose ketamine use has been linked to bladder irritation and, in heavy long-term use, more serious urinary tract damage. Tell us promptly about any urinary urgency, frequency, or pain.
  • Cognitive effects — memory and attention changes have been reported with heavy or prolonged use.
  • Potential for misuse — ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance. We administer it only in the clinic, never dispense it for home use, and screen for substance use history.
  • Liver enzyme changes — uncommon, but relevant with repeated high-dose exposure.

Our protocol limits treatment frequency specifically to keep these risks low, and we reassess regularly rather than continuing indefinitely by default.

Medication interactions

Some medications can blunt ketamine's effect, including certain benzodiazepines and lamotrigine, and your blood pressure medications matter for monitoring. We review your complete medication list at consultation and coordinate any adjustments with your prescriber. Do not stop any psychiatric medication on your own.

Cost and insurance

We want to be straightforward about this, because it is the question that most often determines what patients can actually do.

IV ketamine for depression and chronic pain is an off-label use, and most insurance plans do not cover it. For most patients it is a self-pay treatment. We provide an itemized superbill and the supporting documentation you need to pursue out-of-network reimbursement, but approval is uncommon and we would rather set that expectation up front than after you have started.

If insurance coverage is essential for you, SPRAVATO® (esketamine) is worth discussing. Because it carries FDA approval for treatment-resistant depression and for MDD with acute suicidal ideation, it is generally billable to commercial insurance, Medicare, and Ohio Medicaid managed care plans with prior authorization, which our team handles in-house. For background on how that process works, see our guide to prior authorization for infusion therapy.

Call 216-755-4044 and we will walk you through current pricing for IV ketamine and run a benefits check for SPRAVATO before you commit to anything. If coverage is your main concern, our guide to ketamine therapy that takes insurance breaks down what each type of plan pays for and what to do if you are denied.

Why choose CarePoint

A medical infusion center, not a spa

We administer biologics, IVIG, iron, and other complex infusions daily. Ketamine is delivered with the same clinical rigor, monitoring, and staffing.

Both treatment options under one roof

Offering IV ketamine and SPRAVATO means we can recommend what actually fits your diagnosis and coverage rather than the only thing we happen to provide.

Comfortable, private setting

Private treatment rooms with reclining chairs, climate control, and wireless internet. A calm, destigmatized environment rather than a hospital ward.

Convenient location and parking

Beachwood, easily reached from downtown Cleveland, Shaker Heights, University Circle, and the eastern suburbs. Ample free parking and step-free building access.

Learn more about our facility and team on our About Us page.

Serving Cleveland and Northeast Ohio

Communities we serve

CarePoint Infusion Center provides IV ketamine infusion therapy and SPRAVATO (esketamine) from our Beachwood location at 23215 Commerce Park, Suite 318 — roughly 20 minutes from downtown Cleveland and convenient to the entire east side. Whether you are searching for a ketamine clinic near you in Cleveland, IV ketamine in Beachwood, or depression treatment anywhere in Northeast Ohio, we can help.

We conveniently serve patients from:

Cleveland Beachwood Shaker Heights University Heights Cleveland Heights Lyndhurst South Euclid Mayfield Heights Pepper Pike Orange Village Chagrin Falls Solon Twinsburg Brecksville Warrensville Heights Lakewood Parma Strongsville Westlake Medina Elyria Lorain Hudson Akron Cuyahoga Falls Stow Kent Canton

And throughout Cuyahoga County and Northeast Ohio. We also have dedicated pages for patients in Westlake and Akron.

Frequently asked questions

Select any question to expand the answer

IV ketamine is used for treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, anxiety disorders, bipolar depression, and acute suicidal ideation, as well as chronic pain conditions including CRPS, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, and refractory headache. It is generally reserved for patients who have not responded adequately to standard treatments.

Many patients notice some improvement within hours to a few days of the first infusion, and for depression the effect of a single infusion often peaks around 24 to 48 hours. Response is not universal, and full benefit is usually assessed after the initial series of about six infusions over two to three weeks. Chronic pain relief tends to build more gradually across multiple sessions.

Ketamine has a long track record in medical settings and a well-characterized safety profile at the low doses used therapeutically. At CarePoint, blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation are monitored continuously throughout every infusion by trained clinical staff.

It is not appropriate for everyone. We screen for contraindications including uncontrolled hypertension, unstable cardiovascular disease, a history of aneurysm or brain hemorrhage, active psychosis, significant liver disease, and certain bladder conditions.

During and shortly after an infusion, patients commonly experience dissociation, dizziness, altered perception, nausea, and a temporary rise in blood pressure. These are monitored closely and typically resolve within 15 to 30 minutes of the infusion ending.

With frequent or long-term use, ketamine has been associated with urinary and bladder irritation, cognitive effects, and potential for misuse. Our protocol limits treatment frequency to keep these risks low, and we ask you to report any urinary symptoms promptly.

Most patients start with an induction series of about six infusions over two to three weeks. After that series we evaluate your response, and many patients move to maintenance infusions spaced anywhere from a few weeks to a few months apart, depending on how long the benefit lasts. Your plan is adjusted based on how you actually respond.

IV ketamine for depression and pain is an off-label use, and most plans do not cover it, so it is generally self-pay. We provide an itemized superbill and documentation so you can pursue out-of-network reimbursement, though approval is uncommon.

If coverage is essential, SPRAVATO® (esketamine) is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and is typically covered with prior authorization, which we handle for you.

Avoid solid food for 4 to 6 hours before your appointment; clear liquids are permitted up to 2 hours before. Take your regular medications unless we tell you otherwise, and wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that roll up easily for blood pressure monitoring.

Arrange for someone to drive you home before you arrive — this is required, not optional. Many patients like to bring headphones and a calm playlist, though others prefer quiet.

Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance with recognized potential for misuse, so this is a fair question. At the low doses and infrequent schedule used for depression and pain — administered only in the clinic, never dispensed for home use — that risk is low. We screen for substance use history and monitor treatment frequency as part of our protocol.

IV ketamine is racemic ketamine delivered into the bloodstream with 100% bioavailability, allowing precise dosing and real-time adjustment. It is used off-label and is typically self-pay.

SPRAVATO is esketamine given as a nasal spray at roughly 45–50% bioavailability. It is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and for MDD with acute suicidal ideation, dispensed only through the SPRAVATO REMS program, and usually covered by insurance. It requires a two-hour monitoring period after every dose.

We offer both — see our SPRAVATO® (esketamine) page or our detailed IV ketamine vs. intranasal comparison.

In most cases, yes. Ketamine is usually given alongside existing psychiatric medications and pain treatments. Some medications can blunt the response, including certain benzodiazepines and lamotrigine, and your blood pressure medications matter for monitoring.

We review your full medication list at the initial consultation and coordinate any changes with your prescriber. Never stop a psychiatric medication on your own.

Research indicates ketamine can rapidly reduce suicidal ideation, often within 24 hours, which makes it a valuable option as part of a comprehensive plan that includes ongoing psychiatric care.

Ketamine therapy is scheduled outpatient care, not emergency treatment. If you are in immediate danger, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency department.

Call 216-755-4044 or use our contact page to schedule an initial consultation. We review your medical history, current medications, and previous treatments to determine whether IV ketamine or SPRAVATO is the better fit. We accept physician referrals and also see patients who come to us directly.

Research supporting ketamine therapy

Ketamine's use in psychiatry is supported by more than two decades of clinical research from academic institutions. Key studies include:

  • A landmark 2000 study in Biological Psychiatry by Berman and colleagues first demonstrated ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects in patients with major depression. (Berman et al., 2000, Biological Psychiatry)
  • Research from the National Institute of Mental Health showed that a single ketamine infusion produced antidepressant effects within two hours, with benefits lasting up to a week. (Zarate et al., 2006, Archives of General Psychiatry)
  • A 2013 analysis in JAMA Psychiatry supported ketamine's efficacy for treatment-resistant depression, with rapid symptom reduction in a majority of patients. (Murrough et al., 2013, JAMA Psychiatry)
  • Yale University researchers demonstrated that ketamine rapidly restores synaptic connections damaged by chronic stress and depression. (Duman et al., 2016, Molecular Psychiatry)
  • Studies in chronic pain have shown ketamine infusion reduces pain intensity in CRPS and other neuropathic pain conditions. (Schwartzman et al., 2009, Pain Medicine)
  • Research in the American Journal of Psychiatry demonstrated ketamine's ability to rapidly reduce suicidal ideation. (Wilkinson et al., 2018, American Journal of Psychiatry)

For general background on depression and its treatment, the National Institute of Mental Health maintains an accessible patient overview.

Take the next step

If depression, PTSD, anxiety, or chronic pain has not responded to the treatments you have tried, we would like to hear from you. We will review your history, explain both IV ketamine and SPRAVATO honestly, and help you decide what makes sense.

Request a Consultation Call 216-755-4044

Visit us

  • Phone: 216-755-4044
  • Address: 23215 Commerce Park, Suite 318, Beachwood, OH 44122
  • Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Related pages

Medical disclaimer: This page provides general educational information and does not constitute medical advice or replace a consultation with a qualified provider. Ketamine is used off-label for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain; these uses are not FDA-approved. Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance. Eligibility, dosing, and response vary by individual and are determined after clinical evaluation. Outcomes described here are drawn from published research and are not a guarantee of results.