Investigation and inquest
On 1 commenced an investigation into the death of Dafydd Rhys WATTS, Aged 34. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 14th March 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was;
Ia Pericarditis
Ib Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome (DRESS)
Ic Epilepsy treated with levetiracetam
Conclusion: Dafydd Watts died suddenly of pericarditis following an unrecognised and exceptionally rare drug reaction to his necessary anti-epileptic treatment
Circumstances of the death
The deceased died of eosinophilic pericarditis and DRESS syndrome due to Levetiracetam.
He had previously been prescribed Carbamazepine but suffered pulmonary eosinophilia.
He ceased this treatment and started Levetiracetam.
Coroner’s concerns
Although the evidence suggests that this is only the fourth such death documented it appears that the possibility (albeit remote) of such an occurrence is not drawn to physicians attention in the drug literature or in the BNF entry.