Ketamine, the powerful sedative that caused actor Matthew Perry's 2023 drug overdose death, has been approved for clinical use as an anesthetic since 1970, when it was first given to wounded American soldiers during surgery in the Vietnam War.

A doctor, Salvador Plasencia, received a 2.5-year prison sentence for selling ketamine to the late Matthew Perry.

Five people, including two physicians, who were accused of illegally procuring ketamine for Perry pleaded guilty to federal drug charges brought following the actor's death in Los Angeles.