Certain individuals may experience adverse reactions or diminished effectiveness with ketamine therapy due to pre-existing conditions or other factors. These contraindications include, but are not limited to, severe cardiovascular disease such as unstable angina or poorly controlled hypertension, history of psychosis or schizophrenia, certain eye conditions like glaucoma or retinal detachment, and pregnancy or breastfeeding. Active substance use disorders may also complicate treatment and need to be addressed before initiating ketamine therapy. Additionally, individuals with allergies to ketamine should not receive this treatment.
Careful patient selection is critical for ensuring both safety and efficacy in ketamine therapy. Accurately identifying individuals for whom this treatment may be unsuitable allows clinicians to minimize potential risks and offer alternative therapeutic approaches. This careful screening process ultimately contributes to better patient outcomes and fosters trust in the responsible administration of this emerging treatment modality. Historically, careful patient selection has been a cornerstone of responsible medical practice, particularly with novel therapies, and ketamine therapy is no exception.
