THE family of a woman who leaped to her death from a motorway bridge claim she was depressed after taking an anti-smoking drug.
Lilian Diane Owens jumped from a moving car and threw herself off a bridge on to the M60 as her husband John, young daughter and the girl's friend watched in horror, an inquest at Stockport magistrates' court heard.
The 44-year-old classroom assistant died from multiple injuries in April last year. Her family claim her death was linked to her taking the anti-snoking drug Champix. But that was denied by her GP, and the coroner ruled her death was suicide.
Just months before her death Mrs Owens, from Heaton Chapel, was prescribed the drug to help her quit smoking. She later went back to her GP saying the medication made her depressed and cry in her sleep.
Husband John Owens said: "As soon as she started to take them she felt unwell and they made her feel strange so she stopped. She was uncomfortable when on it and didn't finish them." His daughter Emma said: "Her mood changed dramatically on Champix and she had vivid dreams."
Mother-of-four Mrs Owens had a variable history of depression and after taking Champix her behaviour caused her family concern.
She wrote a letter to Andrew Heaton, head of Broadstone Hall School where she worked, telling him about her life history but later became concerned she had divulged too much.
Depression
She was later given a sick note for depression. The day after handing the sick note in she prepared tea and seemed in a good mood. A short time later she jumped from the bridge.
Dr Peter Hick, Mrs Owens' GP, said he never thought she was a suicide risk. Coroner John Pollard asked Dr Hick if the death was linked to Champix. He said: "I still don't think, Champix was the cause. Some of these anti-smoking treatments can be linked to mood change."
When Mr Pollard recorded a verdict of suicide there was an emotional outburst from Mrs Owens' sister Carol Wilks. She said: "Champix killed her. My sister's brain was completely screwed up."
Speaking later Mrs Wilks said: "We are shocked by the verdict. As far as we are concerned the balance of her mind was disturbed by Champix."
Drug manufacturer Pfizer, issued updated guidance on Champix's active ingredient varenicline to doctors in August to increase awareness of cases of `suicidal ideation'.
A spokesman for the firm said: "Depression, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempt, have been reported in patients undergoing a smoking cessation attempt, including patients taking varenicline.
"If agitation, depressed mood or changes in behaviour are experienced and are of concern, treatment should be stopped immediately."
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Esso Blue, , Manchester. (04/04/2009 at 13:47)
My view is some drugs feed depression and worsen it. if you have any kind of drug addiction and are suffer depression your doctor will usually consider this as a possible cause for the depression he will then usually start a program to get you off the drugs to see if the depression eases and at the same time they put you on a trailed prescribed drug as an alternative to the substances you originally took.
It's all bout everybody being above board that is what you have to look for. Dr Hick doesn't seem to have committed himself in the same way as the Spokesperson for the drug company. Did doctor hick read the update and explain this. The family should have the issue reopened if they can and get the drug company there to give their view.
Andanotherthing, Mcr (04/04/2009 at 18:47)
smackay1981, worcester (05/04/2009 at 14:40)
Esso Blue, , Manchester. (05/04/2009 at 17:46)
Dr Peter Hick, Mrs Owens' GP, said he never thought she was a suicide risk.
As soon as she started to take them she felt unwell and they made her feel strange, She was uncomfortable when on it and didn't finish them."
Her mood changed dramatically on Champix and she had vivid dreams."
After taking Champix her behaviour caused her family concern.Mrs Ownes sister says her brain was completely screwed up."
She later went back to her GP saying the medication made her depressed and cry in her sleep.
Out of character?, She wrote a letter to Andrew Heaton, head of Broadstone Hall School where she worked, telling him about her life history but later became concerned she had divulged too much.
Coroner John Pollard asked Dr Hick if the death was linked to Champix. He said: "I still don't think, Champix was the cause. “Some of these anti-smoking treatments can be linked to mood change.”
Drug manufacturer Pfizer, “issued updated guidance on Champix's active ingredient varenicline to doctors in August to increase awareness of cases of `suicidal ideation'."Depression, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempt, have been reported in “patients” undergoing a smoking cessation attempt, including patients taking varenicline. "If agitation, depressed mood or changes in behaviour are experienced and are of concern, treatment should be stopped immediately."
What I am saying is if Dr Hick read the update if it came before the court date then he should have some significant information.
From the story here he is supposed to have said that it can be linked to mood change.
I think there is a big difference between mood change and reports of suicide thoughts and suicide attempts. I wasn't there so I don’t know whether the update of the drug was fully mentioned and I dont know whether the coroner was fully aware of the issues relating to the drug. Another point is that it should be considered if there has been other deaths in people around about the same time to taking this drug or similar one. It seems they cause depressed mood, maybe the indication here is in normal people? so if you are depressed to start with they are going to depress you more.
There seems to be to many coincidences regarding her change. In a lot of cases the totality of coincidences can start to point the finger at the medication.
concept (05/04/2009 at 23:59)
people have always said I am laid back,relaxed and stress free however When I started Champix friends family and colleagues said I had become
outwardly violent and agressive
My Champix was given without seeing a doctor by a smoking cessation advisor.When it was pointed out about my behaviour change the advisor referred me to another more senior advisor who blamed it on nicotine withdrawl and to carry on with the Champix
Despite having no previous history of depression I believe Champix left me feeling very low and I am ashamed to say suicidal
In the end I cut my own dose in half and then out all together
Now within a fortnight I feel my life is coming back to a normality
I have every sympathy with Mrs Wilks regarding her sisters death
I feel because of the success of Champix and the pressure from government on health officials to stop people smoking they are ignoring the side effects and endangering peoples lives
Esso Blue, , Manchester. (06/04/2009 at 15:51)
tracy peel (17/09/2009 at 20:23)
tracy