Reviewed by Dr. Ben Soffer, DO  ·  Updated 2026-05-26

When your medication isn’t working

Class-by-class guides to alternatives. For each class, we cover why patients seek alternatives, where ketamine therapy fits, and the other escalation paths your physician may consider.

depression · anxiety

Alternatives to SSRIs

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Read the guide
acute anxiety · panic attacks

Alternatives to Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium)

Read the guide
ADHD · narcolepsy

Alternatives to Stimulants (ADHD medications)

CNS Stimulants — Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, Concerta

Read the guide
depression · anxiety

Alternatives to SNRIs

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors

Read the guide
depression · anxiety

Alternatives to Atypical Antidepressants

Atypical Antidepressants — Wellbutrin, Trintellix, Auvelity, Remeron, Trazodone

Read the guide
bipolar disorder · recurrent depression (augmentation)

Alternatives to Mood Stabilizers

Mood Stabilizers — Lithium, Lamictal, Depakote

Read the guide
depression · chronic pain (neuropathic)

Alternatives to Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

Tricyclic Antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline, Imipramine, Doxepin)

Read the guide
treatment-resistant depression · atypical depression

Alternatives to MAOIs

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (Nardil, Parnate, Marplan, Emsam patch)

Read the guide
bipolar disorder · depression (as augmentation or specific approvals)

Alternatives to Atypical Antipsychotics

Atypical Antipsychotics for Mood (Abilify, Seroquel, Latuda, Vraylar, Rexulti)

Read the guide
insomnia · short-term sleep induction

Alternatives to Z-drugs (Sleep Medications)

Z-drugs — Ambien (zolpidem), Lunesta (eszopiclone), Sonata (zaleplon)

Read the guide

More class guides coming. If you don’t see your medication class above, the drug-interactions directory has detailed pages for hundreds of specific medications and their ketamine-interaction profile.