Recent arrests made on the actor The death of Matthew Perry 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 attributed to “acute effects of ketamineas ruled by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Department.
Several people are now charged in connection with the 54-year-old actor's overdose death, including Perry's assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, who allegedly administered excessive amounts of ketamine, as well as several doctors and dealers, who are said to have supplied the drug.
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On the day of Perry's death, the “Friends” star was given three injections of ketamine, according to information contained in the assistant's plea agreement.
Below is a more in-depth look at ketamine and the issues surrounding it.
What is ketamine?
Intended to be used as an anesthetic to be manipulated by doctors And veterinarians also use ketamine illegally as a recreational drug.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) describes ketamine as a “dissociative drug,” meaning it makes people feel “detached or detached” from their bodies or physical surroundings.
For some people, it can cause hallucinations and alter thoughts and emotions, according to the ADF.
(PCP is a dissociative, mind-altering drug that can cause hallucinations.)
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Off-label use of ketamine has “skyrocketed” in recent years, “despite limited data supporting the safety and efficacy of the practice,” according to a report by the Yale School of Medicine.
The drug is typically sold as a colorless, odorless liquid or as a white or off-white powder, according to the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) website.
When used in powder or liquid form, it is often mixed into drinks or smoked with marijuana or tobacco.
The powder form can also be snorted or pressed into tablets.
Ketamine can be injected in liquid form, the NDIC says.
Ketamine approved for depression in healthcare settings
In 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ketamine in nasal spray form (Spravato or S-ketamine) for treatment-resistant depression and suicidal ideation.
It is intended to be used in combination with antidepressant pills only under the supervision of a medical professional.
“S-ketamine is very strictly regulated,” the Yale report states. “It must be administered intranasally, in a certified healthcare facility and under the supervision of a healthcare professional, and patients must remain in the facility for two hours after dosing.”
Ketamine should only be used in combination with antidepressant pills under the supervision of a medical professional. (iStock)
Ketamine is most commonly used for the treatment of severe depression and for Pain managementaccording to Siegel.
Ketamine therapy eliminates the need for patients take medication every day, according to the doctor.
When does ketamine become fatal?
Gerstner cautioned that there are risks and limitations, including the potential for ketamine. Being abused.
Gerstner noted that there isn't much regulation around how ketamine treatments are administered, as the drug was previously approved for anesthetic use.
“The field is very open and it's a bit like the Wild West,” he said. “It's a very potent drug and the way you use it can vary dramatically.”
In high doses, the drug can cause adverse health problems that affect the cardiovascular systemrespiratory and neurological function, which can be fatal, the American Addiction Center Website noted.
“Common causes of overdose death include excessive sedation, respiratory failure, low blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, coma, and seizures.”
Some of the risks include high 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 death include excessive sedation, respiratory failurelow blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, coma and seizures,” Siegel said.
In Perry's case, the report stated that given the high levels of ketamine found in his blood, “the primary lethal effects” of ketamine included “cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression.”
