Grandmother's Tragic Death Following Sertraline Overdose Revealed at Inquest
A grandmother from Kent died after taking a commonly prescribed antidepressant medication, with an inquest concluding her death resulted from an accidental overdose. Grace Uludag, a 55-year-old retail assistant from Gravesend, was prescribed sertraline, a widely used Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), at the time of her passing on November 11.
Fatal Blood Levels and Family's Heartbreak
Toxicology tests conducted after her death revealed sertraline at a concentration of 1.94 milligrams per litre of blood, a level considered potentially fatal. Medical experts note that concentrations above 1.5 milligrams per litre are known to contribute to death. Assistant coroner Venessa Holt presented these findings during the inquest, highlighting the overdose as the medical cause of death.
The family expressed profound confusion and grief, stating there was never any indication Grace was suicidal. A family statement read: "She lived for her family and grandchildren, who brought her joy and miss her." They explained that Grace's medication was carefully managed using a dosette box to organise daily doses, with family members ensuring she took it correctly.
NHS Warning on Serotonin Syndrome Risks
In February, the NHS issued a significant warning about a potentially lethal side effect of sertraline called serotonin syndrome. This condition occurs when serotonin levels become dangerously high in the body. The warning followed a major study conducted by academics at King's College London and the University of Oxford, which examined over 58,000 people taking 30 different common antidepressants.
The research found that certain antidepressants, including sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine, can cause substantial physiological changes within the first eight weeks of treatment. Participants experienced heart rate increases of up to 21 beats per minute and weight gain of approximately 2 kilograms.
Scientists involved in the study emphasised that treatment guidelines should be updated to reflect these physiological risks, while maintaining that antidepressant choices should be made on an individual patient basis.
Final Days and Medical Response
The day before her death, Grace reported dizziness and shortness of breath to her GP practice, who advised her to call an ambulance. Her family revealed she was often reluctant to visit Accident and Emergency departments due to concerns about long waiting times, which caused her significant discomfort.
The following day, Grace experienced dizziness again, fell onto the floor, and hit her head against a wall. Her daughter immediately called for an ambulance. While paramedics were present, Grace suffered a cardiac arrest and died at home.
During the inquest, her daughter questioned how the overdose could have occurred, stating: "She wanted to feel better. She did not expect all of this. My concern, was it the dose, was it too high? I am very confused on why that happened."
Coroner's Conclusion and Wider Implications
In her conclusion, Coroner Venessa Holt stated: "I am satisfied she died as a result of an overdose but there is no evidence it was intentional. There was never any indication of her being suicidal. She contacted the GP the day before because she felt unwell and dizzy."
The coroner recorded the death as an accidental sertraline overdose, describing it as both an "unexpected and unintended consequence" of her medication. This case emerges as millions of people in the UK continue to take antidepressant medications, with ongoing research highlighting the need for careful monitoring of side effects and dosage levels.
