Innovative Relief for Chronic Pain When Other Treatments Haven’t Worked
Living with chronic pain can be physically and emotionally exhausting, especially when traditional treatments have not provided lasting relief. At TOPS Institute, we offer physician-led IV Ketamine Infusion Therapy in Los Angeles for carefully selected patients with complex chronic pain conditions.
Our TOPS Elite Ketamine Program provides concierge-level care in a safe, medically supervised environment. Every infusion is personally overseen by a dual board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain management specialist, ensuring the highest standards of safety, precision, and individualized treatment.
If you’ve exhausted conventional therapies, IV ketamine infusion may offer another option as part of a comprehensive pain management plan.
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What Is IV Ketamine Infusion Therapy?
Ketamine is an FDA-approved anesthetic that has been used safely in medicine for decades. At subanesthetic (low) doses, intravenous (IV) ketamine has been studied as a treatment for certain chronic pain conditions, particularly those involving abnormal nerve signaling and central sensitization.
Unlike oral or intranasal formulations, IV ketamine infusion therapy delivers medication directly into the bloodstream, allowing precise dosing, rapid onset, and continuous physician monitoring throughout treatment.
For chronic pain, ketamine is generally used off-label, meaning it is prescribed based on clinical evidence and physician judgment rather than a specific FDA-approved pain indication.
How Does Ketamine Work for Chronic Pain?
Ketamine works primarily by blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which play an important role in pain transmission and central sensitization.
By modulating these receptors, ketamine may help:
- Reduce abnormal pain signaling
- Decrease central nervous system sensitization
- Improve neuropathic pain symptoms
- Interrupt chronic pain pathways
- Reduce “wind-up” pain responses in certain patients
Researchers continue to study additional mechanisms through which ketamine may influence inflammation, pain processing, and neural plasticity.
Conditions That May Benefit from IV Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine infusion therapy may be considered for carefully selected patients with chronic pain conditions such as:
- Neuropathic pain
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
- Chronic nerve pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Central sensitization syndromes
- Cancer-related pain
- Refractory chronic pain that has not responded to conventional treatments
Every patient undergoes a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether ketamine infusion therapy is clinically appropriate.
Why Choose TOPS Elite Ketamine?
Exclusive IV Ketamine Infusion Therapy
We focus exclusively on intravenous ketamine infusions, providing the highest level of dosing precision and bioavailability. IV administration allows medication delivery to be carefully adjusted throughout treatment while maintaining continuous monitoring.
Physician-Led Care
Unlike many infusion centers, every treatment is supervised by a dual board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management physician with extensive experience treating complex chronic pain conditions.
This advanced level of physician oversight helps ensure personalized treatment and optimal patient safety.
Continuous Medical Monitoring
Patient safety is our highest priority.
During every infusion we continuously monitor:
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Oxygen saturation
- Overall comfort
- Clinical response
Our experienced medical team remains with you throughout the infusion process.
Concierge-Level Experience
Our private infusion suite is designed to provide a calm, comfortable environment throughout your treatment.
From consultation through follow-up care, we emphasize personalized attention, compassionate communication, and individualized treatment planning.
Is Ketamine Infusion Therapy Right for You?
You may be a candidate for IV ketamine therapy if you:
- Have chronic pain lasting several months or longer
- Have neuropathic pain or CRPS
- Have not responded adequately to medications, injections, or physical therapy
- Are seeking advanced, physician-supervised pain management options
- Have undergone an evaluation confirming ketamine may be appropriate
Not every patient is a candidate for ketamine therapy. Our physicians carefully review your medical history, current medications, underlying health conditions, and treatment goals before making recommendations.
The IV Ketamine Infusion Process
1. Comprehensive Consultation
Your treatment begins with a detailed evaluation by one of our pain management specialists. We review your diagnosis, imaging, previous treatments, medications, and overall health to determine whether ketamine therapy is appropriate.
2. Personalized Treatment Plan
Every infusion protocol is customized based on your diagnosis, symptoms, medical history, and response to treatment.
3. IV Ketamine Infusion
Ketamine is administered intravenously in a carefully controlled medical setting.
Treatment sessions typically last 40 minutes to several hours, depending on your individualized treatment protocol and clinical indication.
4. Continuous Monitoring
Throughout your infusion, our medical team closely monitors your vital signs, comfort, and clinical response while adjusting treatment when appropriate.
5. Recovery & Follow-Up
After the infusion is complete, you’ll remain under observation until you are medically cleared for discharge.
Our team provides detailed post-treatment instructions and schedules follow-up visits to evaluate your progress and determine whether additional treatments are appropriate.
Benefits of IV Ketamine Infusion Therapy
For appropriately selected patients, ketamine infusion therapy may offer:
- Reduced chronic pain
- Improvement in neuropathic pain symptoms
- Potential reduction in central sensitization
- Personalized physician-supervised care
- Outpatient treatment
- Comprehensive monitoring throughout every infusion
- Individualized treatment protocols
- Option for patients who have exhausted conventional therapies
Because every patient’s condition is unique, treatment response and duration of benefit vary.
Risks & Possible Side Effects
IV ketamine infusion therapy is generally well tolerated when administered in a properly monitored medical setting.
Potential side effects include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Temporary elevation in blood pressure
- Changes in heart rate
- Blurred vision
- Drowsiness
- Dissociation or altered perception
- Anxiety during infusion
- Headache
Most side effects resolve shortly after treatment and are carefully managed by our experienced medical team.
Our physicians thoroughly review all risks, expected benefits, and alternative treatment options before therapy begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IV ketamine therapy?
IV ketamine therapy involves administering low-dose ketamine through an intravenous infusion under physician supervision. Although ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic, its use for chronic pain is generally considered an off-label treatment.
How does IV ketamine help chronic pain?
Ketamine works by blocking NMDA receptors involved in pain transmission and central sensitization. This mechanism may help reduce chronic neuropathic pain in appropriately selected patients.
What conditions can ketamine infusion therapy treat?
Ketamine infusion therapy is most commonly considered for chronic neuropathic pain, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), fibromyalgia, cancer-related pain, and certain chronic pain conditions that have not responded to conventional treatment.
Is ketamine therapy effective?
Some patients experience meaningful pain reduction following ketamine infusions, while others experience limited or temporary benefit. Results vary depending on the underlying diagnosis, treatment protocol, and individual response.
What happens during an IV ketamine infusion?
During treatment, ketamine is administered through an IV while your blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, and overall condition are continuously monitored by our medical team.
How many ketamine infusions will I need?
The number of treatments varies by diagnosis and patient response. Some patients benefit from an initial series of infusions followed by reassessment, while others require individualized treatment schedules.
Is ketamine infusion therapy safe?
Yes. When administered by experienced physicians in an appropriately monitored medical setting, IV ketamine therapy is generally considered safe. Careful screening and ongoing monitoring are essential.
Are there side effects?
Temporary side effects may include dizziness, nausea, changes in blood pressure, drowsiness, blurred vision, and dissociative sensations. Our team continuously monitors patients throughout treatment to ensure safety and comfort.
How quickly does ketamine therapy work?
Some patients notice improvements within hours or days following treatment, while others require multiple infusions before experiencing meaningful relief. Individual responses vary.
Am I a candidate for ketamine therapy?
Patients with chronic pain that has not improved with standard treatments may be candidates. A comprehensive consultation is necessary to determine whether ketamine infusion therapy is appropriate for your condition.
Schedule Your IV Ketamine Therapy Consultation in Los Angeles
If chronic pain continues to interfere with your daily life despite conventional treatments, IV Ketamine Infusion Therapy may be an option worth exploring.
At TOPS Institute, our physician-led TOPS Elite Ketamine Program combines advanced medical expertise, continuous monitoring, and concierge-level care to provide safe, personalized treatment for complex chronic pain conditions.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn whether IV ketamine infusion therapy is right for you.