Matthew Perry's loved ones are getting some answers.
After initially deferring his cause of death pending a toxicology report, authorities have shared new information about the Friends star's sudden passing on Oct. 28.
His cause of death was revealed as "the acute effects of ketamine," the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner stated Dec. 15. Perry's death was ruled an accident, noted as drug and drowning related.
Since "high levels" of ketamine were found in his blood, "the main lethal effects" would be from cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression (breathing too slowly or shallowly), according to the autopsy report obtained by E! News Dec. 15.
Other factors that contributed to Perry's passing included drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, which is used to treat opioid use disorder, per the medical examiner.
Perry had taken ketamine infusion therapy—to treat depression and anxiety—over a week before he died, per the autopsy report. However, there were trace amounts of the medication detected in his stomach when he died, which "could not be from that infusion therapy, since ketamine's half-life is 3 to 4 hours, or less."
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