Before treatment: instructions and changes to report

Getting ready for treatment starts before you enter the treatment suite. I send patients a personalized preparation email before their first intervention appointment, so they have time to read the instructions and ask questions. Keep those instructions somewhere easy to find. They apply to your planned visit; another patient's experience may involve a different treatment or a different preparation plan.

The instructions cover practical and clinical considerations, including food and drink, medications, stimulants, alcohol or other substances, and transportation. SPRAVATO® and IV ketamine have different requirements. Check which treatment your instructions describe rather than assuming the same rules apply to both. If something is unclear, contact the team before the appointment instead of guessing or changing a prescribed medication yourself.

Before the visit, check these details:

• Confirm the location, arrival time, and how long to keep your schedule open. Include the monitoring and departure process when making plans.
• Review the food, drink, and medication instructions provided for your appointment. Ask the treating clinician to clarify any conflicts with your usual medication schedule.
• Arrange transportation in advance. For SPRAVATO, the Medication Guide says not to drive until the next day after a restful sleep; follow the team's arrangements for getting home.
• Tell the team about medication changes, a recent illness, an elevated blood-pressure reading, stimulant use, or other substance use that may affect the visit. Include what happened and when.

When patients share a potential concern, I communicate it to the clinical team for review. A change does not automatically mean a visit will be cancelled. It gives the treating clinician information needed to decide whether the plan needs adjusting. Please share concerns even if you are worried about a delay; the decision belongs with the clinician overseeing your treatment.

If you discover a question on the morning of treatment, contact the office and explain what needs clarification. Bring your current medication list and the instructions you received. Before leaving the clinic, ask which instructions apply to your next appointment and whom to contact if your circumstances change again.