A Message from Our Founders: Ensuring Safe Ketamine Therapy After Matthew Perry’s Tragedy

A letter from our founders: The tragic, preventable death of Matthew Perry underscores the importance of receiving ketamine in a safe, medical setting.

Dear Patients,

Every day, at Keta Medical Center, we are committed to safely and effectively helping our patients achieve emotional relief with ketamine treatments. We are inspired by the incredible courage our patients show in their battles against depression and wanted to take a moment to address concerns and provide clarification about the recent updates regarding actor Matthew Perry’s tragic and preventable death.

The setting matters: As physicians, we are deeply troubled to learn of the role that Perry’s own doctors had in giving him access to large amounts of ketamine to take at home, unsupervised, simply because of their own greed. Perry drowned after taking ketamine at home with no medical professional present. These events underscore the importance of administering ketamine in a professional, medically-supervised setting.

The dosage matters: At the time of his death, Mr. Perry had ketamine levels in his system that were 18-24 times higher than those used for appropriate treatment of depression. His last clinical treatment occurred two weeks prior to his death and any residual medicine from that visit would have left his body within hours of this treatment.

At Keta Medical Center, we believe that the safety and efficacy of ketamine therapy hinge on careful, professional oversight. We are one of the only ketamine clinics in the tri-state area with a physician on site during every patient treatment. For us, this is part of our founding promise to our patients. Our protocols are designed to ensure that every patient receives treatment in a controlled environment, with highly trained medical professionals present to monitor and support them throughout the process. This approach not only maximizes the therapeutic potential of ketamine but also minimizes any potential risks.

We urge you to prioritize your safety by always seeking treatment in a clinical setting with experienced practitioners. Ketamine therapy, when done correctly, can offer significant benefits—but it must be approached with the utmost care and responsibility. We are here to support you and ensure that your treatment is both safe and effective.

Sincerely,
Dr. Haviva Malina & Dr. Cheryl Malina
Medical Directors and Founders, Keta Medical Center

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. We encourage you to discuss any treatment options with your doctor or mental health provider to fully understand the potential risks and benefits. If you are in immediate danger, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, dial 911, or visit your nearest emergency room.

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