Actor Matthew Perry’s cause of death was listed as “acute effects of ketamine” on Friday, causing concern and sparking conversation about the drug. However, experts are now speaking out about misconceptions surrounding ketamine and its uses.
According to the autopsy report, Perry’s death was caused by a combination of factors including coronary artery disease, prescription medications, and the effects of buprenorphine. The report also stated that there were “prescription medications and loose pills” found at the actor’s residence.
While ketamine is commonly known for its use as an anesthetic during surgical procedures, in recent years it has also been used as a treatment for treatment-resistant depression. The drug has been in use for over 10 years and was officially approved by the FDA in 2019 for this purpose.
“Ketamine is generally safe when administered by trained health professionals in a medical setting,” said Dr. Bankole Johnson, CEO and founder of Casa Privée in Miami. Dr. Johnson’s facility offers ketamine infusion therapy for various medical conditions.
The misconceptions surrounding ketamine primarily stem from its use as a recreational drug. However, experts stress that when used as prescribed by a medical professional, ketamine is generally not dangerous. “Ketamine does not generally cause death from cardiac or respiratory effects, but rather from associated injury,” said Dr. Lewis Nelson, chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine and chief of medical toxicology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
Another common myth is that ketamine is highly addictive. While it is recognized as having the potential for abuse and dependence, experts say that it is only moderately addictive. “Abuse of ketamine occurs when it is self-administered in high or frequent doses without supervision or monitoring, which leads to addiction,” explained Dr. Sandhya Prashad, president of the American Society Of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Practitioners (ASKP3).
Experts also warn against self-prescribing or purchasing ketamine online. The drug should only be obtained and administered by a licensed and experienced medical doctor. “Ketamine should only be used within the confines of a close relationship between a patient and an experienced prescriber,” said Dr. Sullivan, medical director of Initia Nova Medical Solutions in New Jersey.
According to experts, mixing ketamine with other drugs or taking too large of a dose in an unsupervised setting can also be dangerous. ASKP3 has announced that it will soon publish guidelines for safe use of the drug, particularly for at-home use.
“In the wake of Matthew Perry’s autopsy report, we are committed to creating and publishing guidelines for at-home ketamine use, which should only be practiced with a very specific patient profile and only in the context of a close relationship with a physician and in-office follow-up,” the organization said in a statement.
In light of Perry’s untimely death, experts stress the importance of understanding the proper use of ketamine and the potential dangers when it is used inappropriately. It is important for individuals to seek help from a medical professional and to never self-administer or purchase the drug illegally.
