Matthew Perry was given regular testosterone injections in the weeks before his tragic death – which a friend said made him “angry and mean,” according to his autopsy report.
The male hormone was just one of many prescriptions the famous “Friends” star was taking when he accidentally drowned in his hot tub on Oct. 28, including ketamine, which authorities believed was the cause of his death.
Perry, 54, received frequent ketamine infusions to treat depression and drug addiction, although the medical examiner determined that the drug in his system could not have come from his last infusion.
How the actor obtained the sedative is not clear, but a staff member claimed that Perry was generally happy, despite the irritability caused by the testosterone treatment.
“She spoke to her last [Perry] A few days ago he appeared to be doing well and was in “good spirits,” the unnamed woman's 29-page autopsy said.
According to the employee, Perry told her he would “never kill himself” and seemed hopeful about his future. He even asked his doctors to wean him off ketamine and buprenorphine, both used to treat drug addiction, after he was reportedly sober for 19 months.
“[Perry] “He also received testosterone injections, which she said caused him to be 'angry and mean' over the last few weeks.”
Matthew Perry's death was caused by “acute effects of ketamine.” TheImageDirect.com
It's unclear why the actor was prescribed the male hormone – notorious for triggering aggression – although it may have been to counterbalance the effects of an estrogen-based weight-loss drug he was also taking.
Perry was described by officials as “slightly obese.”
The drugs were just some of what officers found scattered around Perry's $6 million Los Angeles cottage.
In the bedroom of Perry's assistant, who found the actor face down in the heated pool, officers discovered “several open, empty, half-filled medication bottles that were prescribed to him [Perry]as well as over-the-counter medications, vitamins, digestive aids, and dishes filled with various loose pills, tablets, capsules, candies, and mints.”
Perry, 54, received frequent ketamine infusions to treat depression and drug addiction, although the medical examiner determined that the drug in his system could not have come from his last infusion. Denver Post via Getty Images
There were also several nicotine vapor products and nicotine lollipops in the house. The friend told officers Perry had only given up his smoking habit two weeks earlier, but his assistant claimed the actor was still smoking two packs a day, the report said.
Specifically, investigators found “no alcohol, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia” in the home or near the hot tub.
The star's death was caused by “acute effects of ketamine,” but the coroner determined that the amount found in Perry's body could not have come from his last IV treatment a week and a half before his death.
Ketamine's half-life is just three to four hours – and the amount found in Perry's body was equivalent to the general anesthesia given to surgical patients, experts said.
High levels of the sedative were found in his bloodstream and traces of the powder were found in his stomach, suggesting he may have taken it in pill form.
The popular TV star – who opened up about his legendary struggles with addiction in his 2022 memoir – had reportedly been clean and sober for 19 months before his death.
Perry's death shocked fans across the country and family members alike, with the latter reportedly too overcome with grief to discuss autopsy proceedings.
“Tissue donation was not discussed with the family because they were distraught,” the autopsy states.
A friend of Perry's said he was in “good spirits” in the weeks before his death. WFLA
Perry wanted to be remembered not only as a famous actor, but also as an advocate for those who were also struggling.
His dream came true just days after his death when the Matthew Perry Foundation was founded, a charity dedicated to supporting people struggling with addiction.
He also founded the Perry House in 2013 to help others with their sobriety.
“I want to be remembered as someone who lived well, loved well and was a seeker,” the actor noted in a November 2022 interview on the “Q with Tom Power” podcast.