Method of Treatment for Ketamine Infusion

Abstract

Methods for treatment for patients having depression and/or pain are contemplated as including an administration of first preparation comprising an antiemetic agent, preferably ondansetron, followed by a second preparation of a synergistic combination of ketamine and a benzodiazepine, preferably lorazepam, administered via a continuous intravenous infusion. Such methods may be seen to better alleviate depression and pain symptoms, and may result in reduced need for other medications.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a patient having a depression condition in need of treatment, the method comprising:
 administering to the patient a first preparation, the first preparation comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an antiemetic agent; and   administering to the patient a second preparation, the second preparation being an intravenous infusion comprising a mixture of a pharmacologically effective amount of ketamine and a pharmacologically effective amount of a benzodiazepine.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antiemetic agent of the first preparation comprises at least one compound selected from the group comprising: non-selective 5-HT antagonist, 5-HT 3  receptor antagonist, 5-HT 4  receptor agonist, CB 1  agonist, D2 receptor antagonist, D3 receptor antagonist, GABA receptor agonist, Hi receptor antagonist, muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, NK 1  receptor antagonist, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first preparation comprises an intravenous infusion of ondansetron. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in the second preparation, the benzodiazepine is selected from the group comprising: 1,4-benzodiazepine, 1,5-benzodiazepine, 2,3-benzodiazepine, triazolobenzodiazepine, imidazobenzodiazepine, oxazolobenzodiazepine, thienodiazepine, thienotriazolodiazepine, thienobenzodiazepine, pyridodiazepine, pyridotriazolodiazepine, pyrralodiazepine, tetrahydroisoquinobenzodiazepine, a benzodiazepine prodrug, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the benzodiazepine comprises lorazepam. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in the second preparation, the ratio of ketamine to benzodiazepine is between 100:1 and 10:1 by weight. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second preparation is administered as a saline solution. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second preparation additionally comprises a pharmacologically effective amount of one or more of: an anesthetic, a sedative, an antiemetic, an anticonvulsant, an antidepressant, an antimigraine, an antipsychotic, an anxiolytic, an antiparkinson. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second preparation additionally comprises ondansetron. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering to the patient a third preparation, the third preparation comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of an anti-inflammatory agent. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the third preparation comprises an intravenous infusion of ketorolac. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the third preparation comprises an intramuscular infusion of a pharmaceutically effective amount of a triptan. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the third preparation comprises sumatriptan. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second preparation is administered via continuous intravenous infusion at a rate of between 20 and 150 mg of ketamine per hour 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second preparation is administered via continuous intravenous infusion at a rate of between 40 and 100 mg of ketamine per hour. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the rate of administration of the second preparation is configured to vary during the period of administration. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the second preparation is initially delivered at a first rate of between 40-60 mg of ketamine per hour, subsequently delivered at a second rate of between 80-120 mg of ketamine per hour, and finally delivered at a third rate of about 20-40 mg of ketamine per hour. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein during the administration of the second preparation, at least about 0.5 mg of ketamine is delivered to the patient per kg of the patient's body mass. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administration of the second preparation is performed over a time period of at least an hour. 
     
     
         20 . A method of treating a patient having a condition, evidenced by symptoms, in need of treatment, the method comprising:
 administering to the patient a first preparation, the first preparation comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of an antiemetic agent; and   administering to the patient a second preparation, the second preparation comprising a mixture of a pharmacologically effective amount of ketamine and a pharmacologically effective amount of a benzodiazepine.