Woman died of accidental prescription drug overdose - Coroner

File photo / NZ Herald

A Wairoa woman who took an overdose of prescription drugs before dying did not intend to take her own life, a coroner has ruled.

Tracey Fetokai, 47, was found dead by her husband on the floor of the couple's dining room about 11am on December 27, 2011.

Mrs Fetokai had been prescribed a range of different medications after a long history of mental illness and other medical conditions.

Post-mortem blood tests revealed the presence of various drugs, including clonazepam, risperidone, zopiclone and alcohol, but none were found to be at a dangerous dosage.

Tests also showed the presence of benztropine, a drug taken for the management of movement disorders, which was found at a level considered to be fatal at 0.32 milligrams per litre of blood.

While the benztropine levels were higher than the recommended therapeutic usage, Coroner Chris Devonport said there was no evidence to suggest Mrs Fetokai had taken the drug with the intention of ending her life.

Police also found there was no evidence that her death was assisted or that she was forced to take the medication by anyone else.

Mr Devonport said the high level of benztropine combined with alcohol and other central nervous system depressants resulted in her "unintentional death".