WASHINGTON (TND) — Friends actor Matthew Perry died due to the “acute effects” of ketamine, according to the results of an autopsy report.
Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance – meaning it’s only available from pharmacies with a prescription – that has been used for decades in humans and animals as an anesthetic during medical procedures.
In 2019, the FDA approved ketamine infusions to treat depression and anxiety, and it has also been prescribed to treat substance-use disorders.
Because it is not approved for at-home use, infusions must be given in a clinical setting under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Patients can take ketamine at home orally, or by using nasal sprays, but the FDA has warned against that because they cannot ensure the patient’s safety.
According to Epic Research, ketamine prescriptions have increased more than 500% since 2017; 28% of prescriptions were for depression, 19% for anxiety and most for the treatment of pain.
A study from All Points North surveyed 2,000 adults and found that 55% who tried at-home ketamine therapy reported either accidentally or purposely using more than the recommended dose.
On its own, ketamine rarely causes an overdose; an overdose is more likely to happen when the drug is mixed with alcohol, according to the American Addiction Centers.
Ketamine is also used recreationally because it can cause disassociation and hallucinations.
Some people consume it as a pill, while some snort it or smoke it. It is sometimes mixed with other “club drugs,” like MDMA.
It is also used as a "date-rape" drug because of its anesthetic properties, and it is typically colorless or odorless.
Most of the ketamine that is illegally distributed in the U.S. is stolen from legitimate sources – like veterinary clinics – or smuggled from Mexico.
Street sales are rare.
From 2017 to 2022, there was a 350% increase in illegal ketamine seizures by drug enforcement agents, according to an NYU study.
Most illegally obtained ketamine is sold in powder form and can be laced with other drugs, like fentanyl.
While recreational use has increased in recent years, it is still uncommon here in the U.S. Less than 2% of people use it.
If you or a loved one struggles with ketamine misuse, there are resources to help.
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