Video After The Jump
Matthew Perry's death was ruled an accident, with the cause being the effects of ketamine.
"The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) determined the cause of death for 54-year-old actor Matthew Langford Perry as the acute effects of ketamine," the Los Angeles County Corner's Office said Friday.
The beloved "Friends" actor who long struggled with addiction, was found dead at his Los Angeles home on October 28. He was found unresponsive in his hot tub.
"Contributing factors in Mr. Perry's death include drowning, coronary artery disease & the effects of buprenorphine (used to treat opioid use disorder). The manner of death is accident."
Ketamine, which was once known only as a party drug, can be used recreationally or as a treatment for depression & other mental health issues under doctor supervision.
Perry was using ketamine therapy but the amount found in his system — about as much as would be used in general anesthesia — could not have been from his last treatment a week & a half prior.
The amount of ketamine used to treat depression is much lower than the amount used in general anesthesia.
Perry's opioid replacement therapy & his previous heart condition exacerbated the effects of the ketamine before he drowned.
Perry had coronary artery disease, which is when plaque builds up on the walls of the arteries of the heart, causing them to narrow. This condition, plus the ketamine, led to "cardiovascular overstimulation."
Perry was taking buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. While buprenorphine & ketamine can be combined at low doses, high doses of both drugs can cause people to breathe too slowly & lose consciousness.
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Source: Business Insider
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