A coroner has advised prescribing doctors to make them aware of the possibility of suicidal behavior as a side effect of a particular antibiotic.
Dr. Robert Stevenson, 63, of Huddersfield committed suicide after receiving a prescription for ciprofloxacin, prompting a warning from the West Yorkshire coroner.
An inquest heard that the medication may have a rare suicide link that many medical professionals may not be aware of.
According to the medicines regulator, it would decide if additional action was required.
According to a Prevention of Future Deaths report written by West Yorkshire's senior coroner Martin Fleming, Dr. Stevenson had retired from his position as a physician at the Huddersfield Royal Infirmary in May 2022 when his suspected prostate cancer was first discovered.
According to the report, he had no prior history of depression or mental health issues and was given the antibiotic ciprofloxacin to treat his symptoms.
11 days later, however, he went for his routine walk and was later discovered dead.
He had written a note for his wife that the coroner described as "uncharacteristically confused and illogical" in its worries.
A "potential rare link to suicidal behavior" for patients taking so-called quinolone antibiotics was not mentioned to Dr. Stevenson, according to the inquest into his death.
Telling people about this side effect was not advised at the time, the inquest was informed.
The coroner stated in his report following the inquest that while he could not say for sure that Dr. Stevenson was experiencing this side effect, it was a possibility.
He continued, "I also heard evidence to suggest that prescribing doctors may not be fully aware of this uncommon side-effect and that patients suffering from depression may be more susceptible to it. ".
Mr. Fleming expressed his concern that "this potential risk has not been given sufficient emphasis" in a letter to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
He requested that the regulatory body review its ciprofloxacin usage recommendations.
Dr. Janine Jolly, the MHRA's deputy director of benefit/risk evaluation, responded by stating that the agency would "consider whether further regulatory action is required to minimize risks to patients and will provide a response upon completion of our investigation.".
According to the patient information leaflet, ciprofloxacin has been associated with psychiatric side effects, including suicidal behavior.
We evaluate reports of fatalities, including a review of post-mortem information when available, just like we do with any serious suspected side effects. The coroner's decision will be examined. ".
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust's medical director, Dr. David Birkenhead, referred to Dr. Stevenson as a "well-respected, valued, and much-loved colleague who contributed significantly to the trust and was dedicated to the care of his patients.".
"His passing left us all inconsolably sad. My thoughts are foremost with Dr. Stevenson's family after the coroner's report is released, he continued.
