An 'intelligent and successful' lawyer who had no prior history of mental illness died by suicide shortly after being prescribed the antibiotic ofloxacin, an inquest has revealed.
Alex Mulroney was treated for urinary and genital symptoms, experiencing a recurrence of a previously suffered physical condition. After a first-line antibiotic proved ineffective, he was prescribed ofloxacin in December 2025. According to Assistant Coroner for Berkshire, Ian Wade KC, Mulroney had no history of emotional or mental ill health.
Late on December 17, 2025, Mulroney left his home, telling his wife he was experiencing substantial discomfort from a rash and was going to the hospital, which was untrue. In the early hours of December 18, he drove to a dual carriageway and sent his wife a text message expressing sorrow for his intended actions. He reportedly failed in an initial suicide attempt in his car before returning to the road, where he was struck by a passing vehicle. Mulroney died at the scene from catastrophic injuries.
In a Prevention of Future Deaths report, Wade stated that while the ofloxacin did not directly cause death, it likely "induced a determination to end his life." He added that the death of Mulroney, who was described as an intelligent and successful lawyer with a loving family, is not the first fatal outcome linked to fluoroquinolone medication in patients without prior mental health issues.
The coroner emphasized that ofloxacin is a "dangerous product" and that the current system for publishing warnings about potential harm is insufficient to adequately inform both prescribers and patients of the dangers involved. The report has been sent to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and the British National Formulary.