While not FDA approved, ketamine offers relief for chronic pain, mental health disorders

Anitra Johnson, Delaware News Journal
·3 min read

Six months after Matthew Perry, known for his role in the popular tv show "Friends," was found dead from a ketamine overdose the LAPD confirmed to USA Today on May 21 that authorities are trying to determine where the actor obtained the drug.

Perry was discovered unresponsive and face-down in his pool on Oct. 28, 2023, according to his autopsy. The ">USA Today reported that the examination, conducted the day after his death, found no presence of alcohol or drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl in his system. However, the 54-year-old actor had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy, with the most recent session reportedly taking place one and a half weeks before his death.

What is ketamine?

Ketamine is a controlled prescription medication primarily used as a sedative during surgery to ensure comfort while maintaining consciousness. Known for its dissociative properties, the drug allows users to experience a separation from their thoughts, feelings, and sense of space, time and self.

While not FDA-approved for the treatment of any psychiatric disorder, some medical professionals believe that when used as infusion therapy, the tranquilizer is effective in treating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder that do not improve with standard treatments.

Ketamine infusion therapy can be used to address pain from:

  • Cancer

  • Headaches

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Diabetic neuropathy

  • Peripheral nerve damage

  • Post-amputation stump pain

  • Neuralgia

Ketamine misuse can lead to injury and death

Ketamine is generally safe when used appropriately; however, misuse can have serious consequences. High doses of the drug can lead to various health problems such as respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological toxicity.

According to the American Addiction Centers, death due to a ketamine overdose is rare when ketamine is the sole substance consumed. However, combining ketamine with alcohol increases the risk of fatal toxicity since both substances affect breathing and heart function.

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The effects of a ketamine overdose can vary based on the amount ingested, if ketamine was used with other drugs, or if there were impurities in the drug. The signs and symptoms of ketamine overdose are similar to PCP overdose symptoms and may include:

  • Suppressed breathing (apnea).

  • Low blood pressure.

  • Slow heart rate.

  • Cardiac arrest.

  • Seizure.

  • Stupor.

  • Coma.

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Is ketamine misuse an issue in Delaware?

In 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration's Philadelphia Field Division released an intelligence report highlighting significant drug trends in Delaware. According to the report, while one of the major drug threats in the First State was controlled prescription drugs, ketamine abuse was not a significant concern.

The report stated that analysis of data from Delaware showed few seizures and findings of non-opioid synthetic drugs, such as cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids, tryptamines, LSD, ketamine, MDMA, and PCP. These substances collectively accounted for less than five percent of all instances reported in 2018, the most recent complete year for which data was available.

The most significant drug threats identified were illicit opioids, cocaine and methamphetamine with fentanyl associated with most overdose deaths.

You can contact Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: What is ketamine? Drug used to offer relief for pain, mental disorders