Thomas Kingston, a 45-year-old financier, tragically took his life in February after experiencing adverse effects from medication prescribed for stress and sleep issues. Despite following National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) guidelines, the antidepressants and sleeping tablets given to Kingston have raised significant concerns about the adequacy of current medical guidance and labeling. The coroner, Katy Skerrett, has emphasized the need for improved communication regarding the risks associated with these medications, echoing the sentiments of Kingston's widow, Lady Gabriella.
Kingston initially sought medical help at the Royal Mews surgery, where a general practitioner prescribed him sertraline, an antidepressant, and zopiclone, a sleeping tablet. Kingston reported issues with sleep and work-related stress, common challenges faced by many in his profession. However, when the initial treatment failed to alleviate his symptoms, his doctor transitioned him to citalopram, another selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
Toxicology reports revealed the presence of caffeine and small amounts of zopiclone in Kingston's system in the days preceding his death. The coroner, Katy Skerrett, documented that Kingston's death occurred while he was "suffering adverse effects of medication he had recently been prescribed." Skerrett questioned whether the potential risks of suicide linked to such pharmaceuticals were sufficiently communicated to patients.
“suffering adverse effects of medication he had recently been prescribed” – Katy Skerrett
Lady Gabriella expressed serious concerns during the inquest, suggesting that without revised guidance and labeling concerning these risks, more lives could be lost due to similar circumstances. Her apprehensions were formally communicated to relevant authorities including Nice, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, and the Royal College of General Practitioners.
“I believe anyone taking pills such as these needs to be made more aware of the side effects to prevent any future deaths. If this could happen to Tom, this could happen to anyone.” – Lady Gabriella
Dr. David Healy, a psychiatric medical expert, pointed out additional concerns about the medications involved. He noted that zopiclone might contribute to anxiety and that both sertraline and citalopram are fundamentally similar SSRIs. Healy criticized current guidelines and labeling for not adequately articulating the risks involved with starting these drugs or switching between them.
“We need a much more explicit statement saying that these drugs can cause people to commit suicide who wouldn’t have otherwise,” – Dr David Healy
The case underscores a critical need for clearer communication of potential side effects and risks associated with antidepressants and related medications. It highlights the necessity for healthcare providers and regulatory bodies to ensure that patients are thoroughly informed about possible adverse effects and the precautions required when adjusting prescriptions.