Thomas Kingston: Coroner issues warning over depression medication after death of Lady Gabriella Kingston’s husband

Cotswolds: A coroner is sounding the alarm about depression meds after Thomas Kingston, who was married to Lady Gabriella, took his own life.

Thomas, 45, was found dead at his parents’ home on February 25 last year. It’s a heartbreaking situation that has raised serious questions.

Katy Skerrett, the senior coroner for Gloucestershire, pointed out that Thomas was experiencing negative effects from the medication he had been prescribed. She emphasized the need for better awareness of suicide risks linked to these drugs.

Thomas and Lady Gabriella tied the knot at Windsor Castle in 2019, with royal family members in attendance. It’s just so tragic to think about what happened.

During the inquest, it came out that he was initially given sertraline for sleep issues related to work stress. But when that didn’t help, his doctor switched him to citalopram. Sadly, he stopped taking his meds just days before his death.

In her report, Ms. Skerrett questioned if patients are being properly informed about the risks of these medications. She also wondered if the current guidelines are really the best approach when someone isn’t seeing any benefits.

Lady Gabriella echoed these concerns, stating that it seems likely Thomas had a bad reaction to the medication. She believes more awareness is crucial to prevent similar tragedies.

Dr. David Healy, a psychiatric expert, testified that Thomas’s anxiety from sertraline indicated it wasn’t the right fit for him. He stressed that the guidelines for these medications need to be clearer.

A spokesperson from NICE said they would look into the issues raised and respond to the coroner. It’s a tough situation, and anyone struggling with similar feelings should reach out for help.

If you or someone you know is feeling distressed, don’t hesitate to contact Samaritans at 116 123 in the UK or find your local branch in the US.