The autopsy report for 54-year-old actor Matthew Perry, best known for his role in “Friends”, states that he passed away due to the immediate impacts of the anesthetic drug ketamine. The results were released on Friday.

According to the autopsy report from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, Perry’s cause of death on October 28 was determined to be accidental. While drowning in the heated end of his pool was listed as a secondary factor, it was not the primary cause.

According to those familiar with Perry, he was receiving ketamine infusion therapy, an unproven method for managing depression and anxiety. However, the medical examiner stated that the amount of ketamine found in Perry’s system was consistent with that used for anesthesia in surgery, and his previous treatment 1 and 1/2 weeks prior would not account for these levels. Typically, the drug is processed by the body within a few hours.

The report indicates that both coronary artery disease and buprenorphine, a medication used for treating opioid use disorder, were contributing factors.

According to Dr. Andrew Stolbach, a medical toxicologist at Johns Hopkins Medicine who examined the autopsy report for The Associated Press, the level of ketamine found would have caused him to become unconscious and lose his balance, making it difficult for him to stay afloat in water.

Stolbach cautioned against the use of sedative medications in a pool or hot tub, particularly when alone, as it can be highly dangerous and even fatal. He mentioned that ketamine and buprenorphine can be safely administered in such settings, however.

Perry was pronounced deceased after being discovered unresponsive at his residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. The autopsy was conducted the next day by investigators.

According to the report, the actor had previously used drugs but had reportedly been drug-free for 19 months.

According to the report, Perry had participated in a game of pickleball earlier that day. Upon returning home from running errands, his assistant, who also lives with him, discovered him unconscious in the pool.

The assistant informed investigators that Perry had not been ill, had not voiced any health concerns, and had not displayed any signs of recent alcohol or drug consumption.

The results of the blood tests conducted after his death revealed a significant amount of ketamine in his system. This may have contributed to an increase in his blood pressure and heart rate, and could have decreased his natural urge to breathe.

The autopsy report stated that Buprenorphine, a substance often used to treat opioid addiction and detected at therapeutic levels in Perry’s blood, may have played a role in his respiratory issue. The report also mentioned that combining this central nervous system depressant with ketamine could be dangerous due to potential respiratory complications when high levels of ketamine are present.

According to the report, his coronary artery disease could have increased his vulnerability to the drugs’ impacts.

Perry was one of the most popular TV actors of his time, known for his role as Chandler Bing in the hit NBC sitcom “Friends” alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer. The show ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004.

His co-stars, along with numerous loved ones and supporters, were shocked by his passing and honored him with heartfelt tributes in the following weeks.

Perry was candid about addressing his battles with addiction that began during his tenure on the show “Friends.”

In his 2022 memoir, the author expressed his enjoyment of the show but also revealed his struggles with addiction, which intensified his feelings of shame. He also shared a personal secret that he felt he couldn’t disclose to anyone.

According to the autopsy report, an unnamed woman stated that Perry had been in a positive mood during their recent conversation. However, she also mentioned that he had been receiving testosterone injections which were causing him to become irritable and hostile. She added that he had recently quit smoking.

The female individual stated that the male had been receiving ketamine infusions for his mental well-being, and that his doctor had reduced the frequency of the treatments due to his improved state.

Ketamine, a potent anesthetic, has been approved by U.S. health regulators for surgical purposes. However, in recent years, it has gained attention as an experimental therapy for various psychiatric and difficult-to-manage disorders such as depression, anxiety, and chronic pain.

Although not officially sanctioned by governing bodies, physicians have the liberty to recommend medications for alternative purposes if they believe it could be beneficial for their patients. In fact, there are numerous clinics throughout the United States that administer ketamine infusions and other forms of the drug for a range of medical conditions.

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Carla K. Johnson, AP’s Medical Writer in Washington state, Matthew Perrone, AP’s Health Writer in Washington D.C., and Ryan J. Foley, contributed to the reporting from Iowa City, Iowa.