'Intelligent and successful' lawyer with no history of mental illness threw himself in front of car after being prescribed 'dangerous' antibiotic medicine, inquest hears
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By NICK IRVING
Published: | Updated:
An 'intelligent and successful' lawyer with no history of mental illness jumped in front of a car after being prescribed 'dangerous' antibiotic medicine, an inquest has heard.
Alex Mulroney, who was in a secure relationship with his wife and children, experienced a repeat of a previously suffered physical condition causing urinary and genital symptoms.
He had no history of emotional or mental ill health and was prescribed ofloxacin after a 'first line antibiotic had not cured his illness'.
Assistant coroner for Berkshire, Ian Wade KC, said he took the medicine on December 16, 2025.
Late in the following evening he left his home in Reading in his pyjamas and coat telling his wife he was in substantial discomfort because of the rash and going to hospital – which was not true.
In the early hours of December 18 he drove to a dual carriageway and sent his wife a text message expressing sorrow for what he was about to do.
He failed in his first attempt to kill himself in his car but returned to the road and was struck by a passing vehicle and Mr Mulroney died from catastrophic injuries at the scene.
The coroner said in a Prevention of Future Deaths report: 'On the balance of probability the prescribed ofloxacin did not cause death but induced a determination to end his life.'
Assistant coroner for Berkshire, Ian Wade KC, said Alex Mulroney took the medicine on December 16, 2025. Pictured: Berkshire Coroner's Office in Reading (File image)
He added: 'The death by suicide of Alexander Mulroney, a patient with no previous history of emotional or mental ill health, nor a person considered to be at risk of self harm, soon after commencing a course of a fluoroquinolone is not the first such fatal outcome, linked to such medication.
'Ofloxacin is a dangerous product, notwithstanding its benefits and widespread use.
'The current approach to publishing warnings of possible harm provides insufficient safeguards and fails properly and adequately to inform both prescribers and patients of dangers.'
The coroner said: 'Alex was an intelligent and successful lawyer with a wife and children he loved, in a secure relationship.'
Mr Wade has sent his report to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the British National Formulary.
- For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or see thecalmzone.net/get-support
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