Taradale death: Coroner notes MOH warnings around expired medication

Judith Anne Larsen was found dead at her Taradale home in February, 2020, having overdosed. Photo / NZME

A woman who died after mixing medications may have consumed an out-of-date pain relief drug.

Judith Anne Larsen was found dead at her Taradale home by her sister Margaret on February 21, 2020.

The 59-year-old mother-of-one was found to have codeine, tramadol, paracetamol and metformin in her body at the time of her death.

A post-mortem examination conducted by a pathologist found the cause of her death was multiple drug toxicity being the unintended consequence of self-medicating.

In a Certificate of Findings, Coroner JP Ryan concluded that Larsen's death was unintended.

"I do not consider that there are any comments or recommendations that could be made in this case for the purpose of reducing the chances of further deaths.''

In Coroner Ryan's full finding, it was noted that Larsen had been prescribed tramadol in 2016 and 2017.

Coroner Ryan noted the advice of the Ministry of Health which warns
of the dangers of using expired medication, and mixing medications.

The MOH guidelines suggested regularly cleaning out your medicine cabinet and disposing of medicine that is past its date of expiry.

"These medicines can be returned to your local pharmacy for disposal," the MOH says.

"Make sure everyone involved in your health care knows about every medicine you take, including non-prescription and complementary medicines such as vitamins and herbal supplements."

The MOH also notes 'mixing medicines can cause side effects'.

Larsen, a single grandmother, who had lived alone for 20 years, suffered from type two diabetes, mellitus, gout and hypercholesterolemia, and was prescribed several medications.

Her GP Dr Pieta-Jo Randall last saw Larsen for a routine appointment on November 28, 2019, in which the GP stated there were no issues but did note that Larsen had several health issues which made her susceptible to a sudden medical event.

A significant narrowing of the three coronary arteries made Larsen more susceptible to the effects of drug toxicity.

A police investigation found there was no criminal liability or suspicious circumstances around her death.