Sunday, December 31, 2023
Alexander Papp, MD
Matthew Perry, celebrated for his iconic role on “Friends,” tragically passed away on October 28, 2023, after being found unresponsive at the heated end of his swimming pool. His live-in personal assistant discovered him upon returning from errands. Despite immediate efforts to revive him, Perry was pronounced dead by emergency personnel at 4:17 p.m.
Mr. Perry battled several health issues including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, and had a history of substance abuse which required significant medical intervention, including surgery. However, he had been sober for the last 19 months and was participating in ketamine infusion therapy, presumably administered at a local clinic.
The autopsy revealed no traces of substances such as methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, or fentanyl in his system. However, it did detect high levels of ketamine, which may have contributed to his untimely death. The report suggests that the death could have been due to a combination of factors including cardiovascular overstimulation, respiratory depression, and drowning, exacerbated by ketamine-induced effects on already compromised coronary arteries. The presence of ketamine in his stomach indicates oral consumption.
Additionally, therapeutic levels of buprenorphine and lorazepam were found in his system, which may have further reduced his respiratory function. The warm water of the pool, which typically leads to vascular relaxation and accelerated heart rate, combined with the effects of a potential ketamine overdose—characterized by reduced respiration, irregular heartbeats, and fluctuating blood pressure—posed a lethal mix of circumstances.
Ketamine, generally considered safe with a broad therapeutic index, rarely leads directly to fatalities. A study involving 758 cases of ketamine poisoning noted a mortality rate of only 1.2%. However, the danger increases when ketamine is misused, combined with other substances, or if there are underlying health issues like respiratory or cardiovascular complications.
It is important to note that under medical supervision, ketamine treatments have not been known to result in fatalities. This incident underscores the critical importance of careful medical oversight and monitoring during therapeutic drug use, especially in individuals with complex health profiles.
