Singulair Overview

Singulair, an asthma medication works as a leukotriene inhibitor. Leukotrienes are the chemicals released by the body when an individual breathes an allergen. Inhalation of these chemicals leads to swelling in the lungs and tighten the muscles around airways. Singulair is a prescription drug used to prevent asthma attacks in children as young as 12-month-old baby and adults. It is also prescribed to relieve sneezing and running nose.

Singulair Severe Side Effects

In March 2008, there were reports that the people using Singulair suffered from suicidal thoughts. On March 27, 2008 after the reports of suicidal thinking, mood and behavior changes among the patients taking Singulair, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration declared to review the connection between the use of Singulair and suicidal behavior in children and adults. FDA has asked the doctors prescribing Singulair to monitor the patients using them until new information is available. Upon the completion of this investigation, FDA will suggest whether to prescribe Singulair to asthma patients or not.

Singulair, generically known as montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used for the treatment of Asthma. It is also used for the treatment of seasonal allergies like sneezing or stuffy nose. Body produces leukotriene and it is a part of complex response including the histamine production. Singulair blocks the leukotriene D4 on the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor CysLT1 in the bronchial tubes and lungs by binding to it. This decreases the bronchoconstriction caused by the leukotriene, thus resulting in the less inflammation. It is not useful for treating acute asthma attacks. It is prescribed as a preventive drug and as maintenance therapy regime.

The drug conglomerate Merck and co. manufactures Singulair in United States and other countries. It is available as oral granules, oral tablets or chewable tablets administered in 4, 5 or 10 mg pills. An Indian company Cipla manufactures it in India and other countries under the brand name Montair®. It is one of the successful medications generating revenue of more than $3.6 billion last year. According to Merck, Singulair is used by millions of people in the United States ranging from children to adults. Doctors prescribe it to children for preventing asthma attacks and adults use it as maintenance therapy regime.

According to Merck, following are the side effects of Singulair:

• Stomach pain
• Heartburn
• Stuffy nose
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Rashes
• Intestinal or stomach upset
• Headache
• Flu
• Upper respiratory infection
• Cough
• Fever

Additionally, there have been reports of other side effects .In order to include the information about the following side effects, Merck has updated the labels of Singulair in the last one year:

• Tremors
• Depression
• Anxiousness
• Suicidal behavior

On March 28, 2008, after the reports of four cases of suicide were linked with the drug, FDA declared to investigate whether suicidal thoughts and mood changes are the severe side effects of drug or not.

If you believe, you are suffering from the side effects of Singulair than contact your doctor immediately. Further, you can contact an experienced attorney for filing a lawsuit against the manufacturers of the drug.

Use of Singulair & Suicidal Behavior are Interlinked

Singulair, also known by the generic name montelukast sodium is distributed and manufactured by the conglomerate Merck and Co. It is primarily used for the prevention and control of asthma and bronchitis reactions. However, it is also used to control and prevent allergies associated with the similar symptoms. Singulair is one of the Merck’s most popular drugs in many categories like prescriptions, sales and revenue. There are millions of users of Singulair in the United States ranging from small children to adults. Doctors prescribe Singulair to small children ion order to prevent asthma whereas adults use it as a maintenance therapy drug. In 2007, sales of this drug generated $ 3.6 billion for the company and above $4.3 billion globally.

Currently, there have been reports of severe side effects associated with the drug. In the past one year, Merck has added new information on the labels of the drug to highlight the information about the new side effects such as depression, tremors, suicidal behavior and anxiousness. However, none of these symptoms was mentioned on the drugs label.

In a case, a 6-year-old boy told her mother, “didn’t want to be in this life anymore…”and he showed dangerous and destructive behavior towards his family and himself. According to a recent NBC report, a couple in the New York blamed this medicine for their son’s suicide. Earlier, 15-year-old boy was taking some other medicine. As soon as he switched to Singulair, he took his own life. In both of these cases, patients had no history of psychological problems.

On March 27, 2008 after the reports of suicidal thinking, mood and behavior changes among the patients taking Singulair, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration declared to review the connection between the use of Singulair and suicidal behavior in children and adults. FDA has asked the doctors prescribing Singulair to monitor the patients using them until new information is available. Upon the completion of this investigation, FDA will suggest whether to prescribe Singulair to asthma patients or not.

FDA recommends that the patients who are using Singulair and parents, who are worried about the adverse side effects of Singulair on their children, should contact a doctor.