Since 2016, the Ketamine Clinic of Hawaii has been providing Ketamine Infusions for the treatment of chronic pain, depression, anxiety disorders and PTSD, when traditional treatments have failed to help.
Scientific reports from leading institutions such as Yale University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Harvard University have provided evidence supporting the relief obtained from Ketamine Infusion when traditional treatments have failed. The patients receiving Ketamine Infusions are those who have found little to no relief with the standard treatment or those who were found to be resistant to pain medications and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Ketamine Infusion Therapy as a Service
While providing Ketamine Infusion Therapy as an integral piece to the patients’ total care, we do not treat the patient as their primary care physician. Our service is provided in addition to the treatment plan their health care professional has in place. The patient will return to their referring physician or health care professional with a complete report of the treatments that were carried out at the Ketamine Clinic of Hawaii.
Evaluation and Follow Up Care
Our clinic does not provide mental health care services or chronic pain management. Thus, the majority of our Ketamine patients do require a follow-up care and evaluation from their referring physician or health care professional.
Our Clinic
As a crucial part of the Ketamine Infusion, our clinic is equipped with the proper nursing and medical staff along with the required safety equipment (crash carts, defibrillators, infusion regulated IV pumps, etc.), to make the patients’ experience as safe and pleasurable as possible. Our medical director has over thirty years administering Ketamine as a surgeon and we are completely knowledgeable in acute care with resuscitation protocols.
Ketamine Infusion Data
At the Ketamine Clinic of Hawaii, a detailed case load documents the trends and results achieved with patients thus far. This data shows that patients being treated for depression and chronic pain account for the majority of our Ketamine treatments. Our clinic is actively working towards accumulating data from our patients for future research and publication.
Treatment Data Details and Notes
Following the completion of the initial protocol, measurements and follow-up data were taken 24-48 hours later. As each patient’s needs vary, follow up treatments are recommended every 2 weeks to 6 months based on their needs and ability to maintain post-treatment pain or depression levels.
Treatment Failures
From the 50 patients who received Ketamine treatment thus far, there were 10 treatment failures. These patients were unable to continue their prescribed treatment plans often due to geographical or financial constraints.
Complications
There have been no significant complications during the Ketamine Infusion with our patients thus far. Minor side effects such as slight nausea, increased heart rate or blood pressure have been recorded but have, however, been treated or resolved with no issues or interruptions to the treatment. To date, none of our patients have discontinued treatment due to medical or psychological reasons.
Severe Depression Treatment
Of the 50 treated patients, 18 have been treated for severe depression. Prior to starting any Ketamine Infusions, the average Montgomery-Asberg depression scale score was found to be 40. The same scale was used post-treatment where the average score was calculated to be 22. These numbers show an average improvement of 18 points on the MA depression scale.
Chronic Pain Treatments
In addition, 22 of the 50 treated patients have been treated for chronic pain. Using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, the average pre-treatment score was calculated to be 8. Following treatment, the same scale was used to calculate a post-treatment average where the score was found to be 3. Thus, the average improvement for chronic pain patients was found to be of 5 points on a 1-10 numeric scale.
How is Infusion Therapy Different from Other Ketamine Treatments?
Precision dosing. Continuous monitoring. Medical control.
Intravenous infusion allows exact dosing, immediate bioavailability, and stable blood levels. Clinicians can adjust dosage in real time, monitor vital signs continuously, and integrate treatment into a structured medical plan. This combination of precision, safety, and oversight is what distinguishes infusion therapy from all other delivery methods
What are the Other Ketamine Treatments?
etamine is now offered through a wide range of treatment models and delivery methods, but these options are not interchangeable. Differences in how ketamine is administered can significantly affect absorption, dosing accuracy, safety, and clinical oversight. While all approaches use the same medication, the route of administration, treatment setting, and level of medical control create meaningful variations in both experience and outcomes. Understanding these differences is essential when evaluating ketamine therapy and deciding which options are appropriate for a given condition.
Oral Ketamine (Lozenges, Troches, Capsules)
Variable absorption. Delayed onset. Limited clinical control.
Oral ketamine is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract or oral mucosa, resulting in unpredictable bioavailability and slower onset. Blood levels vary widely between patients and even between doses in the same patient. Dosing cannot be adjusted in real time, and side effects may emerge after administration without medical supervision.
Intranasal Ketamine
Inconsistent delivery. Narrow dosing window.
Intranasal ketamine is absorbed through the nasal mucosa, but absorption is highly variable due to anatomy, technique, and mucosal health. While onset is faster than oral forms, dosing precision remains limited and therapeutic exposure is less reliable than intravenous administration.
Esketamine Nasal Spray
Single-isomer formulation. Protocol-restricted use.
Esketamine is a patented nasal spray containing only one ketamine enantiomer. It is administered under specific regulatory protocols and is typically used alongside oral antidepressants. While clinically studied, it differs pharmacologically and procedurally from full-spectrum ketamine infusion therapy.
Intramuscular Ketamine (IM)
Rapid delivery. Reduced titration control.
Intramuscular injection produces faster effects than oral or nasal routes, but once administered, dosing cannot be adjusted. Blood levels rise quickly and decline unevenly, offering less control than continuous IV infusion and limiting the ability to fine-tune treatment during the session.
Subcutaneous Ketamine
Slower release. Limited clinical adoption.
Subcutaneous administration delivers ketamine into fatty tissue, resulting in delayed and less predictable absorption. It is less commonly used and provides fewer advantages compared to IV infusion in both precision and monitoring.
At-Home Ketamine Programs
Convenience-driven. Minimal medical oversight.
At-home ketamine typically involves oral or intranasal formulations taken without continuous monitoring. While marketed for accessibility, these programs lack real-time clinical supervision, physiologic monitoring, and immediate intervention capability, which are central to medical infusion therapy.