She was discovered dead in her house by 19-year-old son Reese in April

The 38-year-old also took prescription drugs to deal with her depression

A mother-of-one drank herself to death with Pepsi Max while on anti-depressants, an inquest heard.

Victoria Lane, from Clayton, Stoke-on-Trent, died from 'excessive' levels of caffeine and fluoxetine after downing up to eight litres of the fizzy drink on a daily basis because she enjoyed the taste of it.

The 38-year-old was found dead at her home by her 19-year-old son, Reese, earlier this year. He called 999 and paramedics rushed to the scene, but they were unable to revive his mother.

A post-mortem examination later found Ms Lane’s death was due to 'excessive consumption' of both caffeine and fluoxetine.

'Excess consumption': Victoria Lane (left), 38, died from 'excess' levels of caffeine and fluoxetine after drinking up to eight litres of Pepsi Max (right) daily because she enjoyed the taste of it, an inquest heard

The inquest heard how Miss Lane had struggled with depression, anxiety and paranoia for years.

She had been prescribed drugs, including fluoxetine, to help, but had also started to drink heavily.

Because she liked the taste of Pepsi Max, she decided to use it as a mixer for vodka. The drink also helped her with the side-effects of the drugs, which left her with a dry mouth, her mother said.

On a daily basis, Miss Lane would drink up to four two-litre bottles of the liquid, the inquest heard.

Just hours before she passed away, Miss Lane's son had returned home to find her sleeping.

But when he awoke the next morning, he realised his mother had stopped breathing.

Reese told the hearing: 'She was in the same position as I saw her the night before. I tried to wake her up but her jaw was completely locked. That’s when I started to worry. I called 999.

He added: 'When mum was drinking heavily she could get through a one-litre bottle of vodka a day and four two-litre bottles of Pepsi Max.'

Inquest: Ms Lane was found dead at her home by her teenage son, Reese, earlier this year. Paramedics rushed to the scene, but they were unable to revive her, North Staffordshire Coroner's Court (pictured) heard

Miss Lane’s mother, Rosalind Lane, told the inquest that her daughter had 'changed' following a serious car crash when she was only 16 years old.

She said: 'She recovered physically from it but I noticed a change in her personality after that.

'She became very black.

'She used to be bright and outgoing but she became reserved and a bit of a rebel at college.'

She added: 'I knew she drank vodka, but I didn’t know exactly how much.

'She did drink a lot of Pepsi Max though.

A FATAL COMBINATION: THE RISKS OF FLUOXETINE AND CAFFEINE Victoria Lane passed away as a result of excessive ingestion of fluoxetine, excaerbated by excessive consumption of caffeine. Fluoxetine - which is used to treat anxiety and depression - increases the level of serotonin in the brain to boost the patient's mood. Serotonin is produced by the body and allows cells to communicate with one another. Caffeine, meanwhile, stimulates the central nervous system and blocks adenosine - a chemical involved in sleepiness. People who consume a lot of caffeine - such as through fizzy drinks and coffee - while taking fluoxetine are at a higher risk of developing serotonin syndrome. The syndrome, which sees excessive nerve cell activity in the brain, can be fatal. Symptoms include a high fever, confusion, trembling, sweating and a fast heartbeat. Advertisement

'One of the side-effects of the drugs was that she had a very dry mouth and Pepsi Max was what she liked to drink.

'I did question her about it because of the high amount of caffeine, but she told me it was fine.'

The pathologist recorded that Miss Lane died as a result of excessive ingestion of fluoxetine, exacerbated by her excessive consumption of caffeine.

North Staffordshire’s assistant coroner Sarah Murphy recorded a conclusion of accidental death.

She said: 'It is absolutely tragic that such a young lady who had overcome significant adversity and had managed to sort herself and who had so much life and so much to look forward to, died prematurely.'

Following Miss Lane's death, her grief-stricken relatives are raising money for mental health charity Mind UK.

On a JustGiving page, her son Reese wrote: 'Victoria received a lot of help and support from New Days in connection with Mind UK, for a number of Mental health issues that she suffered with in her bright but short life departing this world for the next and a mere 38 years old.'

The family have so far raised £652 for the charity.

Miss Lane's devastated son yesterday paid tribute to his mother.

Reese, who works at Homebase in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, said: 'he was amazing.

'Mental health needs to be taken more seriously. We're raising money in her memory so we can help other people who are suffering with mental health issues."

A neighbour added that Miss Lane, was a 'warm and funny' woman - but with 'hidden demons'.

She said: 'From what I knew of Vicky, she was lovely.

'She could be the warmest, funniest person you could ever hope to meet.

'She did have hidden demons though which came from her car accident years before. I think drinking became a way of coping for her and it's tragic she died so young.

'She was never any bother to anyone in the street. I don't think anyone would ever think that drinking too much fizzy pop could kill you.