Dangers of ketamine in spotlight after arrests in Matthew Perry's death

Recent arrests in actors Matthew Perry's death have shed new light on the dangers of ketamine abuse.

Perry's death on October 28 – which initially appeared to be a drowning in a hot tub at his California home – was later ruled to be due to “acute Effects of Ketamine,” according to the decision of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

Several people are now facing charges in connection with the 54-year-old actor's overdose death – including Perry's assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, who allegedly administered excessive amounts of ketamine to him – as well as several doctors and dealers who are said to have provided the drug.

Ketamine injections by mail can be “extremely dangerous,” warns Dr. Marc Siegel

On the day of Perry's death, the “Friends” star received three ketamine injections, according to his assistant's plea.

Here you will get a deeper insight into ketamine and the problems associated with it.

The recent arrests in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry have shed new light on the dangers of ketamine abuse. (Getty Images)

What is ketamine?

For use as an anesthetic for handling by Doctors and veterinarians, ketamine is also used illegally as a recreational drug.

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) describes ketamine as a “dissociative drug,” meaning it causes people to feel “separate or detached” from their body or physical environment.

Perry's death on October 28 – initially ruled a drowning in a hot tub at his California home – was later attributed to the “acute effects of ketamine.” (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

According to ADF, it can cause hallucinations and alter thoughts and feelings in some people.

“Ketamine is in the PCP (phencyclidine) family,” Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, told Fox News Digital.

(PCP is a dissociative, mind-altering drug that can cause hallucinations.)

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The off-label use of ketamine has “increased explosively” in recent years, “although there are limited data on the safety and effectiveness of this practice,” according to a report from the Yale School of Medicine.

According to the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) website, the drug is usually sold as a colorless, odorless liquid or as a white or cream-colored powder.

Five people have been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Matthew Perry, including his assistant Kenny Iwamasa and Jasveen Sangha, also known as “The Ketamine Queen”. (Getty Images/MEGA)

When used in powder or liquid form, it is often mixed with drinks or smoked with marijuana or tobacco.

The powder form can also be snorted or pressed into tablets.

In liquid form, ketamine can be injected, the NDIC says.

Ketamine approved for treatment of depression in healthcare

In 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ketamine in the form of a nasal spray (Spravato or S-Ketamine) for treatment-resistant depression and suicidal thoughts.

Combined use with antidepressants is only permitted under the supervision of a physician.

“S-ketamine is subject to strict regulations,” the Yale report said. “It must be administered intranasally, in a certified health care facility under the supervision of a healthcare professional, and patients must remain in the facility for two hours after administration.”

The use of ketamine in combination with antidepressants may only be done under the supervision of a doctor. (iStock)

Ketamine is more commonly used to treat severe depression and Pain treatmentsays Siegel.

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Dr. Justin Gerstner, a psychiatrist and chief medical officer at Ellie Mental Health in Minnesota, uses ketamine therapy in his own practice and says the response from patients has been “great,” Fox News Digital previously reported.

With ketamine therapy, patients no longer have to Taking medication every day, according to the doctor.

According to the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) website, the drug is usually sold as a colorless, odorless liquid or as a white or cream-colored powder. (Getty Images)

In Gerstner's practice, ketamine is typically administered intravenously to his patients in two- to three-hour sessions, accompanied by psychotherapy before and after treatment, he said. Although ketamine can act as a “really powerful antidepressant and antisuicidal agent,” it's “not the right solution for everyone and everything,” he previously told Fox News Digital.

When does ketamine become fatal?

There are risks and limitations, Gerstner warned – including the potential for ketamine be abused.

The administration of ketamine is not too strictly regulated, noted Gerstner, since the drug had previously been approved for anesthesia.

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“The field is wide open and it's a bit like the Wild West,” he said. “This is a really powerful drug and the way it's used can be quite different.”

In high doses, the drug can have harmful effects on health, Effects on the cardiovascular systemrespiratory and neurological functions, which can be fatal, according to the American Addiction Center website.

“Common causes of death from overdose include excessive sedation, respiratory arrest, low blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, coma, and seizures.”

Risks include increased blood pressure, difficulty breathing, amnesia, seizures, addiction, problems with judgment and coordination, and an irritation of the lower urinary tract called ulcerative cystitis, according to the same source.

“Common causes of overdose deaths include excessive sedation, Respiratory failurelow blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, coma and seizures,” Siegel said.

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In Perry's case, the report said that given the high levels of ketamine in his blood, “the main fatal effects” of the ketamine were “cardiovascular hyperstimulation and respiratory depression.”

Angelica Stabile of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.