Actor friend of Robin Williams claims the drugs he was taking for Parkinson's disease led to his suicide.

A close friend of tragic Robin Williams blames the drugs the star was taking to battle Parkinson's disease for his suicide.

Actor Rob Schneider has taken to Twitter to make the claim after the comedian was found dead at his home on Monday, August 11, and it was revealed that he "was not yet ready to share publicly" his struggles with the incurable and debilitating illness.

The Grown Ups star posted: "Now that we can talk about it. Robin Williams was on a drug treating the symptoms of Parkinson's. One of the SIDE-EFFECTS IS SUICIDE! (sic)"
 
The 50-year-old actor met Robin when they appeared on the US TV show, Saturday Night Live, more than 20 years ago and they developed a close bond, often taking to the stage together at stand-up comedy nights.

Robin's spokeswoman denied the rumours that his family feel his medication had "pushed him over the edge", according to the Mail on Sunday newspaper.

However, a source said: "Robin had recently left rehab. He was on medication for anxiety and depression and had also started taking drugs to combat the early onset of Parkinson’s.

"Many of these drugs list suicidal thoughts as a possible side effect. A lot of Robin's friends are convinced that the cocktail of prescription pills he was on somehow contributed to his mental state deteriorating as quickly as it did.

"Robin had always suffered from depression and addiction but the diagnosis and treatment of his Parkinson’s was new, as was the combination of drugs he was on."

Dr Jeff Bronstein, neurologist specialising in Parkinson’s, said getting the diagnosis can make people depressed but there is also a higher incidence of depression even before the disease is recognised. He added: "We think it's one of the early symptoms."
 
Meanwhile, the star was also said to be "devastated" that his US sitcom The Crazy Ones was cancelled in April after just one season.

The decision by TV bosses reportedly sent him into a deeper depression that ultimately led to his suicide, TMZ reports.

A source said the Hook actor viewed the cancellation as a "personal failure" after telling friends before the show's debut: "My face is all over town [on billboards] and it's all on my back."

Robin's family, including his widow Susan Schneider, are now planning an intimate funeral for friends, family and work colleagues which is "likely" to be in his home town in San Francisco.