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Singulair Linked To Suicide
Singulair, a popular allergy medication which is used to treat stuffy nose, sneezing and other allergy symptoms including asthma, is being investigated by the FDA after reports of suicidal behavior in adults and children. The investigation was prompted by three or four suicides linked to Singulair, including a Florida teenager. Health Canada is also investigating the allergy medication.
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Singulair and Suicide
Singulair (known as montelukast ) belongs to a group of medications known as leukotriene receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the effects of leukotrienes, chemicals produced in the body that are released during an allergic reaction and can lead to inflammation, congestion and other symptoms. It is part of a class of asthma and allergy drugs that includes AstraZeneca's Accolate and Critical Therapeutics's Zyflo. The FDA said it is also reviewing reports of side effects with those drugs.
 In the past year, Merck & Co Inc updated Singulair's label four times. It first included information on a wide range of side effects including tremors, anxiousness and depression. Suicidal thinking and behavior was added and most recently, reports of suicide has been listed on the label.
Merck said that none of 11,000 patients enrolled in 40 clinical trials has committed suicide. Nor did the company report any suicidal thoughts or behavior. In clinical trials of asthma patients, the company reported that the most common side-effects were headache, flu-like symptoms, abdominal pain and cough.
The blockbuster drug was first approved in the United Stated in 1998 and is Merck's biggest selling product; global sales of $4.3 billion ($3.4 billion in the US) make Singulair one of the world's top selling medications.
On its website, the FDA said the review could take up to nine months before its scientists can draw any conclusions. The FDA has been under attack in the past few years from Congress for being too slow to identify and notify the public of possible side effects of drugs. Its quicker response with Singulair has come about due to a program developed in 2007 that notifies the public sooner when the agency identifies a drug's possible adverse side effects. However, the agency received reports of suicide linked to Singulair in October, 2007.
Until the drug is reviewed, the agency advises healthcare professionals and caregivers to monitor patients taking Singulair for suicidality (suicidal thinking and behavior) and changes in behavior and mood.
Singulair and Suicide Legal Help
If you or a loved one have attempted or committed suicide while taking Singulair, please click the link below to send your complaint to a lawyer who will evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.
Last updated on Sep-25-09
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SINGULAIR ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS
Mood Swings, Depression, and Attempted Suicide While Taking Singulair
 Rome, GA: Jordon is almost 18 and just about to graduate high school. But earlier this year he didn't think he was going to make either of these landmark occasions. One night in January, to the shock of his friends and family, he tried to take his own life. His actions didn't make sense. But Jordon was taking the asthma drug Singulair-- and had been for the past year. [ Read More ]
A Life Blown to Pieces by Singulair
 Hyattsville MD: Christine started taking Singular for her asthma in 2005. Within a year she became depressed and anxious, she lost her job, was hospitalized repeatedly, and declared bankruptcy. Only now, almost four years later, is Christine aware that the mood changes she experienced while taking Singulair could be directly responsible for the complete breakdown of her life. [ Read More ]
Singulair - A Very Close Call
 Hermosa Beach; CA: Charyl is happily married with a four-year old son, who, like herself, suffers from asthma and allergies. So, in February 2007 a doctor who specializes in these conditions put them both on the medication Singulair. Shortly afterwards Charyl noticed that she was suffering from depressive thoughts, which she has never suffered from before, and suicidal ideation. These feelings became progressively worse, so much so that she seriously considered admitting herself to hospital in an attempt to find out what was wrong. Finally, on October 1st, 2007, just seven months after she started Singulair, a psychiatrist ordered her to stop taking the drug that very day. Her son is now off it as well, but his behavior has changed. [ Read More ]
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