Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

Man died in overdose of drugs for epilepsy

Tom Rowley
28/ 6/2006

A GLOSSOP joiner found dead in bed just before Christmas had taken an overdose of drugs prescribed for epilepsy, an inquest heard.

PC Jeanette Carter searched Nigel Revell's home after the alarm was raised on 22 December and found a carrier bag from the porch containing many empty tablet packets.

She said alcohol was also found nearby and it appeared that the 42-year-old man could have taken a cocktail of drugs and drink.

"I was told that he suffered from epilepsy and asthma," said PC Carter, adding that Mr Revell was believed to have a drink problem.

Pathologist Dr Roger Start told the Chesterfield inquest that post-mortem tests revealed a fatal level of valproate, a drug prescribed to control seizures.

He said the blood-alcohol level was higher than the legal limit for motorists and, while this was not of great significance in itself, alcohol was known to exacerbate the effects of drugs.

Dr Start gave the cause of death as valproate poisoning.

North Derbyshire Coroner Tom Kelly recorded a verdict of self-administered drug and alcohol poisoning on Mr Revell, of King Street, Glossop.

He said there was no evidence that Mr Revell intended to take a fatal overdose of the drug.