FAQ
Infusion therapy is a specialised treatment modality that we offer at KSCA. They use low-dose infusions to treat various mental health disorders and chronic pain conditions. These infusions are part of any innovative therapeutic approach that aims to provide relief from symptoms in conditions where traditional treatments have been ineffective.
The term “infusion therapy” refers specifically to the protocol used by our clinics, which involves administering the solution through a controlled intravenous infusion. This method allows for precise dosing and the ability to monitor and adjust the treatment in real time, ensuring both efficacy and patient safety.
At KetaMIND Clinics, we administer a dissociative anaesthetic developed in the 1960s, which is one of the most widely used and safest anaesthetic agents in the world. About 12 years ago, it was discovered that this remedy, administered by infusion at much lower doses, could reverse major depression and suicidality and that a series of infusions actually repaired damaged nerve fibres and synapses (nerve junctions) in the brain.
Most traditional antidepressants target the receptors in the brain mediated by the neurotransmitters serotonin and nor-adrenaline and take weeks to work, if at all. Our infusions target another, much more prevalent receptor (NMDA) causing an increase in the neurotransmitter glutamate that has an almost immediate effect in most cases. 70% of patients with treatment-resistant depression experience a reduction in suicidal thoughts after only one infusion.
Our infusions can also disrupt the feedback loop of chronic pain in the brain and offer remission to responsive patients with refractory neuropathic pain.
When used as an anaesthetic, the dose administered is about four times as high as that used for our treatments and is given over only a few minutes.
Because patients still retain the ability to protect their own airways, breathe normally and usually experience no significant cardiovascular effects, our infusions are considered safe compared with several other anaesthetic agents. The dose you will receive at KCSA is far less and given as a controlled infusion over 40 minutes for depression and 4 hours for chronic pain conditions.
Even though these infusions have a good safety profile, we exercise every caution at KCSA, and your infusion will be given by doctors and nurses with appropriate training and immediate access to emergency medication and equipment.
During the infusion, modern equipment will monitor your pulse rate, heart tracing, oxygen level, breathing, and blood pressure.
Before your first infusion, a medical history will be taken, and your weight will be recorded. A standard pre-anaesthetic assessment will be conducted by the doctor.
A nurse or doctor will place a small cannula in a vein on the back of your hand or forearm, and your infusion will always be started by a doctor. Both a doctor and a nurse will check the weight-based preparation of the infusion.
We require our doctors to have experience administering anaesthetic agents, and training in life support and airway management. Our nurses are required to have experience in Intensive Care Units or Emergency Departments and are therefore familiar with the monitors used to check on you throughout the infusion. A doctor will be available throughout your infusion.
You will be in a quiet, private infusion cubicle on a comfortable reclining chair. The nurse’s station is immediately adjacent, and the monitors are clearly visible and audible at all times.
Everybody’s experience is unique. The majority of patients have a peaceful, uplifting, and even exciting experience during each infusion. Many experience feelings of empathy and empowerment.
Usually, there is a floating, rotating feeling with wonderful varied colours and images. Very few patients might have an unpleasant, even frightening experience. This is usually limited to the first infusion and by no means suggests that the infusions won’t work. Usually, subsequent infusions are completely different. A few patients feel nauseous, but we have medication on hand to address this.
We recommend you listen to peaceful music through our noise-cancelling headphones. Your choice of music is up to you, but classical or some other gentle background music is generally best.
Make up a playlist on your phone, and we will connect this to our headphones. Remember to make the playlist long enough to last the whole infusion. Almost all of our patients find that music plays an important role during their infusion experience.
You can find some of KCSA’s recommended music choices under Patient Resources here.
Where can I receive treatment?
KwaZulu-Natal
Umhlanga
Hillcrest
Pietermaritzburg
Gauteng
Bedfordview
Western Cape
Cape Town
Paarl
It is crucial that you understand the preparation for your infusion. You may be asked to stop or cut down on certain medications before your infusion, as certain medications counter the effect of the treatment and may make the infusions less effective. You should not eat solid food for at least three hours before your infusion and shouldn’t take liquids the hour before. Try and empty your bladder, particularly if you are having a four-hour chronic pain infusion.
Remember that, like any of the traditional antidepressant and mood-stabilising agents, our infusions are not a cure for depression or chronic pain conditions, but it is usually an effective treatment. You may even be able to cut down on your other medication after receiving infusions, but only if advised to do so by your doctor. Most of our patients will benefit from ‘top-up’ infusions – seldom more frequently than monthly and often only once every 6-months or a year.
Absolutely. Do not stop any of your medication unless instructed to do so, and keep your appointments with your psychiatrist, psychologist or GP. After our infusions, cognitive behavioural therapy is generally more effective and should be continued.
The agent used in the infusions we administer at KCSA is recognised by SAHPRA in South Africa as a dissociative anaesthetic agent and, for this purpose, is also on the WHO list of worldwide essential medications. Using it by infusion to treat mood disorders and chronic neuropathic pain is referred to as ‘off-label’.
This happens often with many other agents when benefits are discovered that deviate from the original indication on registration. It by no means suggests that using the remedy for another indication is prohibited or dangerous, provided due care is taken, and full disclosure of the ‘off-label’ use of the agent is made to patients. SAHPRA does, however, not permit the promotion of off-label agents by name in the public domain, which is why we do not mention this remedy specifically.
If you would like to learn more about the remedy we use by infusion at KetaMIND Clinics, other possible routes of administration, or have any questions, please contact one of our clinics directly and speak to our anaesthetists — or your own doctor is welcome to contact us for this information.
You may be surprised to learn how affordable the infusions are, particularly considering the benefit that usually follows. The agent administered is inexpensive, but you are paying KCSA for the facility, experienced medical staff and use of monitoring equipment.
Medical Aid Schemes are finally coming on board, having realised the value of these infusions for their members. While they seldom pay 100% of the cost, some funders are covering almost 90%. Please see our Patient Payment Policy for costs and other information about payment. We also offer an interest-free payment option over 3-months at most of our clinics through MediConnect.
We prefer patients to seek a referral from their psychiatrist, psychologist or GP. If your treating doctor is not aware of KCSA, one of our doctors would be happy to speak to them and provide information.
If you do not have a treating psychiatrist or doctor, we can offer you a ‘virtual consultation’ on a digital platform with a psychiatrist on our National Care Team, who will decide whether our infusions will likely be of benefit to your condition.
While our infusions are generally very safe, as with any medical treatment, there are potential side effects. Common side effects include mild disorientation, slight nausea, or a feeling of detachment during the infusion.
These effects typically resolve shortly after the infusion ends. Rarely, some patients might experience increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, or vivid dreams during the infusion. We have medical professionals on hand to manage any side effects that occur.
Yes, our infusions can be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes other medical treatments and psychotherapy.
Many patients find that the infusions enhance the effectiveness of their ongoing therapies, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) or medication management. It’s important to discuss all your current treatments with our team to ensure the best possible integrated care approach.
Infusion therapy is not suitable for everyone. Contraindications include uncontrolled hypertension, recent heart attack, unstable heart conditions, and certain psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia or active psychotic episodes.
A full medical evaluation will be performed prior to treatment to ensure that the infusions are safe for each patient.
For your comfort during the infusion, it is recommended that you bring light reading material, a personal music player with your chosen playlist, and a light snack for after the session. Wearing comfortable clothing is also advised, as infusions can last for several hours, depending on the treatment protocol.
Most patients feel ready to resume normal activities within a few hours after the infusion, though we advise against driving or operating heavy machinery for at least 24 hours following the treatment. As a precaution, a responsible adult should accompany you home and stay with you for a few hours after the infusion.
After completing a series of infusions, follow-up care typically includes a post-treatment consultation to assess the response to treatment and discuss further therapeutic options. Regular follow-ups with your primary care provider or mental health professional are also recommended to monitor your condition and any long-term care needs.
A noticeable improvement in symptoms and overall well-being can gauge the effectiveness of the infusions. We use a variety of assessment tools before and after the treatment to measure changes in your condition.
Ongoing dialogue with our medical team will help determine the success of the treatment and any adjustments needed.
Absolutely not. Depression and chronic neuropathic pain can occur at any age. At KetaMIND, our doctors, in collaboration with referring medical professionals, assess each case individually and we have successfully treated patients with depression as young as 8-years-old and as old as 80, if criteria for treatment are met.