Serious Medical Question. My grandmother passed away few weeks ago, she was 81.?

https://www.everydayhealth.com/tricyclic-antidepre...

The problem is, that a family member gave these drugs (randomly) over the course of a few weeks. It appears that no doctor prescribed this to her. Per the site attached, that a doctor would not prescribe, (if) she had had prior heart problems.

She died from heart failure, which (might) be the result of this drug given to her by a family member, so the question is, why did this family member give her this drug in the 1st place?

I don't know anything about that particular drug but if you believe it was wrongly prescribed to her and you suspect her doctor for just wanting to make money, you can consider suing for wrongful death. You would have to prove that the drug caused her early demise, and that it was not appropriate to prescribe that drug. You can learn all of this information but it would take a medical expert to determine it. You would have to hire a wrongful death lawyer and pay a medical expert (in advance) to review her medical file and make a determination. If it was found that the drug should not have been prescribed and caused or contributed to her early death, then you could sue for wrongful death. The lawyer would take the case on contingency. Medical experts often spend an entire weekend reviewing a medical file. The medical expert will cost you upwards of $2,500 or more.

You need to take any antidepressant continuously for at least one month before you see any benefits from the medication. If it's true that a family member only gave her "four to five doses in the span of three weeks," it's unlikely that the medication has anything to do with her death. It's likely that she indeed died of heart failure.

She lived to just about the average lifespan. She shouldn't have been taking non-prescription meds but these are common enough and if she only took them 4-5 times over 3 weeks, no, it's was just 'old age.'

The next of kin could file a report with the local police, or with the agency that governs the operation of nursing homes in your area if that's where she died. Elderly people can be harmed by medicine that a younger person might be able to withstand, and anti-depressants can affect the heart rate and blood pressure. That having been said, it could have also been something else. Chances are good, only an autopsy might ( and then again, might not) show what really happened.

If you have actual proof that the other person was administering drugs to her that were not prescribed to her by her own doctor, that is a serious drug offense, as well as possibly murder or attempted murder. Without proof, it's all conjecture unless an autopsy revealed something.

This is a dependent upon the details of the case. be very careful NOT to talk about it, and make sure you only speak to the people who can do something about it. Otherwise, all you are doing is sullying the memory of your grandmother. If someone is still around who dispensed drugs to her that were not prescribed for her, consider them dangerous. And be aware that they could sue you for slander, if you don't have proof, and if that proof isn't acted upon in the court.

Someone ? It was obviously her Doctor. She had mental health problems , these drugs are widely used.

What was the cause of death on her death certificate?

Heart failure ? Common in your 80s.

I, as a medical professional, think that is highly unlikely. (That’s my opinion, not medical advice.) However, you aren’t going to find “serious medical advice” on this website. Your grandmother’s power of attorney or legal next of kin can request copies of her medical records, but even that probably won’t provide the answers you’re looking for. My condolences for the loss of your grandmother.

You might try filing a complaint with your state. If she was in a nursing home, that agency is the one. If she wasnt, go to the local AMA or other advocate or ombudsman's office to see if there are any complaints about the doctor or ask a medical professional where you live to look into the death, if you are concerned.