Investigation and inquest
On the 10th of February 2014 I commenced an investigation into the death of Christopher Paul Davies (DOB 13.02.79, DOD 05.02.2014). The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 26th of September 2014 and I recorded a conclusion of Accidental Death with the cause of death being 1(a) Clozapine Poisoning
Circumstances of the death
The Circumstances of the death are that Christopher Paul Davies was found unresponsive at his home address on the 5th of February 2014 and was verified dead at 16.39 on the same date.
Coroner’s concerns
The father of the Deceased ████████ indicated that his son would drink significant amounts of caffeinated drinks and had also cut down on his smoking and that he felt this may have had a bearing on the levels of clozapine in his system and also that the flu like symptoms which his son had prior to his death may have been the result of clozapine toxicity.
He stated that although his son’s clozapine levels were being regularly monitored, at no point was he ever made aware of the possible interaction between caffeine or the cessation/reduction of smoking in relation to clozapine levels, nor was he made aware of the possible warning signs of toxicity.
It was therefore felt that there should be greater emphasis placed on the sharing of this knowledge with users and with staff within the Community Mental Health Team. It was also felt that due to memory issues, patients should be regularly reminded of this information.