On October 28, Friends actor Matthew Perry was found unresponsive in his hot tub at home and later declared dead by medical examiner in Los Angeles. They stated that Matthew died due to acute effects of ketamine.
This 54-year-old had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy, his last treatment occurring approximately one and a half weeks prior to his death. Ketamine can be prescribed as an anesthetic during surgery as well as being used for treating depression.
What does Los Angeles County medical examiner’s report say
On Friday, Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office issued an autopsy report which concluded that Perry died due to “the acute effects of ketamine.” However, there were no specifics as to when or why Perry took this substance but noted that coronary artery disease and buprenorphine (used to treat opioid addiction) played roles in his demise.
Perry had received a ketamine infusion approximately one and a half weeks prior to his death, yet according to the medical examiner’s analysis it could not have come from this treatment as its half-life is only three to four hours. Ketamine can often be misused recreationally and mixing it with central nervous system depressants like buprenorphine can result in breathing issues.
Drowning is a possible side effect of high doses of the drug and occurs when respiratory depression sets in. Coupled with Perry’s heart condition which caused his blood pressure to decrease, this caused him to “relax and lose consciousness” in his hot tub, according to reports.
Antidepressants and an anti-anxiety medicine were found at his house
Perry struggled with mental health and addiction issues throughout his life, including entering rehab for substance abuse in 2022. In his raw memoir released shortly before his death, he candidly recounted his addictions to prescription drugs as well as repeated attempts at quitting heroin use.
Antidepressants and an anti-anxiety medicine were found at his house, while no loose pills or illegal drugs were present in his pool area, according to police reports. Although they continue to investigate what led to his death, no signs of misconduct were present at his scene of death.
An extensive toxicology examination should take anywhere between 4-6 months. According to initial tests conducted on Perry’s system, no trace of fentanyl or meth has been detected – it remains unknown whether any prescription medications reached harmful dosage levels; currently the LAPD Robbery Homicide Division is leading the investigation.
Matthew Perry also suffered from coronary artery disease
TMZ previously reported that Perry was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home and later pronounced dead at 4:17 p.m. His assistant left to run some errands moments before her departure, only to return later and discover he was gone.
Autopsy results revealed that actor suffered from coronary artery disease, which can result in heart attacks or stroke. When coronary arteries become narrowed and restrict blood flow to the heart, this may cause pain as blood is restricted from reaching all its destination points in time. This often results in either heart attacks or stroke, both potentially fatal events.
How harmful is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a potency anesthetic drug often utilized by hospitals. Additionally, it’s widely prescribed as an antidepressant and club drug due to its powerful high and dissociative feelings that it induces. Ketamine should never be mixed with other central nervous system depressants like opiates, buprenorphine or alcohol as this combination could prove deadly.
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