Intramuscular (IM) Ketamine: An Effective Alternative to IV Infusions
For years, intravenous (IV) ketamine has been considered the gold standard for delivering ketamine in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. But as more research emerges, intramuscular (IM) ketamine injections are gaining recognition as an equally effective and, in some cases, more practical alternative.
At Nomad Therapeutics, our goal is to bring safe, evidence-based ketamine therapy directly to patients in the comfort of their own homes or therapy offices. IM injections are a cornerstone of that approach—backed by clinical studies and patient experience.
What Does the Evidence Say?
Several studies have shown that IM ketamine produces comparable antidepressant effects to IV infusions:
Rapid Symptom Relief: A randomized clinical trial found that IM ketamine at standard doses (0.5–1 mg/kg) resulted in rapid improvements in depressive symptoms, often within 24 hours, similar to IV infusion outcomes (Zheng et al., 2021).
Comparable Efficacy: A retrospective review of ketamine clinics reported that both IV and IM routes had similar response and remission rates, suggesting patients can benefit regardless of administration method (Chilukuri et al., 2014).
Durability of Effect: Follow-up studies indicate that IM ketamine may provide durable antidepressant benefits, especially when administered as part of a structured treatment series (Domany et al., 2019).
Why IM Injections Can Be a Better Fit
While IV infusions are effective, IM injections offer unique advantages that make them especially appealing in a mobile, patient-centered model like ours:
Simpler Setup: IM requires only a sterile syringe and monitoring equipment, whereas IV demands pumps, tubing, and catheter placement. This means less preparation time and fewer points of failure.
Lower Cost: Because IM administration requires fewer supplies and less setup time, it reduces the overall session cost while maintaining effectiveness.
Accessibility: IM injections can be administered safely in non-hospital environments (such as therapy offices or patient homes), expanding access for patients who may not want or be able to travel to a clinic.
Comparable Safety: Studies confirm that adverse event rates (such as mild dissociation, nausea, or transient blood pressure changes) are similar between IM and IV routes, provided sessions are properly monitored.
IM Ketamine at Nomad Therapeutics
At Nomad Therapeutics, IM injections are central to our care model. Every session is:
Medically supervised by a licensed Nurse Practitioner and administered by trained Registered Nurses.
Evidence-based, following protocols derived from the same clinical research supporting IV infusions.
Convenient and patient-focused, performed in your home or therapist’s office without sacrificing safety.
We believe IM ketamine is not just an alternative to IV—it is a practical, proven, and empowering option for patients seeking relief from depression, PTSD, anxiety, and other difficult-to-treat conditions.
