Actor Matthew Perry’s cause of death has been determined to be the “acute effects of ketamine” according to an autopsy report released on December 15. Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing in the sitcom “Friends,” was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home on October 28 and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ketamine is a short-term anesthetic that is used off-label as a treatment for treatment-resistant depression and other mental health conditions. Perry had reportedly undergone ketamine infusion therapy for depression and had received an infusion one and a half weeks before his death. However, the medical examiner concluded that the ketamine in Perry’s system could not have come from that infusion due to the drug’s short half-life.
The autopsy report also listed drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine as contributing factors in Perry’s death, which was determined to be accidental. Buprenorphine is a medication approved for the treatment of opioid use disorder.
Ketamine therapy is considered safe when administered under the guidance of a medical professional. However, concerns have been raised about the safety of ketamine therapy in light of Perry’s death. Experts emphasize that ketamine therapy should only be used in a clinical setting with proper medical supervision.
Ketamine is known to have side effects such as dissociation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and increased heart rate and blood pressure. The side effects may be dose-dependent, and lower doses may not cause these effects. Certain health conditions, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure or a history of heart problems, may increase the risk of serious side effects.
Recreational use of ketamine, often mixed with other drugs, can lead to more severe side effects and potential overdose. Long-term use of recreational ketamine may also have lasting psychiatric effects and other complications.
While ketamine therapy is increasingly recognized as an effective treatment for certain mental health conditions, it is important to use the drug responsibly and under the guidance of a physician. The FDA has issued a warning about the off-label use of ketamine and the need for proper regulation and standardization in its administration.
Overall, the safety of ketamine therapy and the potential risks associated with its use continue to be topics of discussion and research in the medical community.