Maradona ‘on danger mix of powerful drugs’ Cocktail of medication could have put stress on his heart, say docs
DIEGO Maradona was taking a mix of powerful drugs before he died that experts fear could have put pressure on his heart.
The Argentine football legend had been using the anti-psychotic quetiapine, naltrexone and epilepsy medication gabapentin.
Records of the drugs he took were seized by prosecutors investigating whether his death was manslaughter.
Officials probing medical n e g l i g enc e claims raided the home and clinic of his doctor Leopoldo Luque on Sunday. He denies any wrongdoing.
Quetiapine is used to treat mood conditions including depression, s c h izophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Gabapentin is taken for nerve pain caused by illnesses such as diabetes as well as to treat epilepsy.
According to Argentine media, Maradona was also prescribed a variety of other drugs by doctors.
They included naltrexone, used for alcohol abuse, and anti-depressant venlafaxine.
The former Napoli and Barcelona star died last Wednesday aged 60 from a heart attack, weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain.
Luque broke down in tears after the raids. The neurosurgeon said: “I was shocked when police turned up at my door. I’m going to cooperate fully.
“I know what I did and what I did was for Diego’s benefit until the last moment. I did the best I could.
“I feel terrible because a friend died. I don’t blame myself for anything. It’s very unfair what’s happening.
“Someone is trying to find a scapegoat here when I don’t see one anywhere.
“We all did the best we could with Diego. He punished himself in a way I wasn’t going to allow.”
Luque turned up at a prosecutors’ of fice in Bu en o s Ai r e s on Monday to volunteer for questioning.
Someone is trying to find a scapegoat here. DR LEOPOLDO LUQUE AFTER POLICE RAIDS