Comments on: Asthma + Singulair = Suicide?

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:21:54 +0000

I am so happy to have found this site. My daughter was on Singular from a very early age like 2 until she was 10. I too thought this drug was great but I was having alot of behavioral problems with my daughter and could never get her asthma under control. My doctors never suggested it could be the medicine EVER. In August of 2010 we almost lost my daughter due to anaphalactic shock. In the hospital they brought in a pulminologist who within 15 minutes of meeting me and my daughter had told me to take her off the Singular because it is know to cause anaphalactic shock. For 8 years I had her on medicine that I never knew was hurting her. She has been off this for over a year now and knock on wood has been doing great. Knowing medicine is different for everyone I would definetly keep a very close eye on whom ever is taking this.

By: Amy B

Amy B — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:46:05 +0000

My son Tyler has been on Singulair for almosy 7 years now. I can not tell you the difference it has made in his life and mine. Before Singulair he could barely run or play sports without hacking or having an attack. Now he’s playing football, baseball, basketball and running around and having fun like a normal 10 year old child. My son never experienced any of the side effects that I’ve read about and his dose was bumped up from 5mg to 10mg. It’s almost hard to believe that all of this was caused by a medication that gave my child his social life back. Thank you Merck for you “wonder” drug.

By: Rxer

Rxer — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 06:18:44 +0000

After working in pharmacy for about 4 to 5 years to get some hands-on retail and pharmacy experience to help me along my path toward my goal of becoming a health care provider, I’ve come to know and even ‘learn’ some of the most popular, most widely used, and most prescribed drugs to be more of a hindrence rather than a help to the body rather than a pharmacological wonder as the doctors and pharmacists will tell you sometimes. People get so caught up in the trap of “Well if the doctor says it will help and prescribes for it, it must be so and it must be a good thing,” when talking about their medications. And of the thousands of drugs currently on the market, I agree that for many people the vast majority of them are true lifesavers that allow people to continue on living a healthy, happy life with minimal or no side effects. But there are exceptions to EVERY rule, and if a medicine is working against or counter-acting against a patient, either on the body or the mind, it is a serious medical issue that needs to be immediately discussed between the patient and his or her pharmacist or health care provide, doctor, family nurse practitioner, physician assistant etc.
Don’t be afraid to express your concerns involving side effects of your medicines or just overall “feelings” when taking a medicine either prescribed or OTC, over the counter. If your doctor or pharmacist is doing his or her job effectively and as they are trained to do, they will listen and give you the truth about a drug and also the sound professional advice and help you to make a good, sound informed healthy decision about your medications.
I’ve seen the news and even done some research about Singulair since the news broke about it having potentially disastrous side effects and possible links to depression and suicidal ideation (thoughts) in certain patients to whom it was prescribed, but most especially in young teens and adults. For those with COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic asthma I would totally agree that it is a wonderful drug and people would swear by it as being a life-saving medication that if taken away would severely alter their state of health. However, given these reports and findings and the FDA’s careful examination of this drug, I really think its use should be carefully watched or monitored on a case by case basis, especially when used in teens and adolescents, with the patients mind and body health at the top of the priority list. I find it very disturbing, that given all the reports linking it to possible mental health issues such as suicidal tendencies and thoughts in such a young population of its patients, that the FDA hasn’t taken a more firm stance on the re-evaluation of its use and looking more closely at the serious potential that its use could have on these reported mental health cases. Mental health is as serious as physical health, that’s why we have the term psychosomatic, which means basically ‘mind AND body.’ So if something is going against the mind but helping the body or vice-versa how can it always be a good thing?
If my child were taking this drug I would ask many questions and be very concerned about it’s use given all the new findings. Statistically, I think teens are already the highest group that is subject to suicidal thoughts and attempted suicidal behavior, therefore they should be carefully monitored for any or all signs of this when taking the medication. So to the parents don’t be ashamed to take a very hard and very long look at this medication if your children have had or do have the potential to become a suicidal person. Educate yourselves thoroughly and become knowledgeable about your own and especially your children’s medications because that’s as much the patients responsibility as it is the prescriber’s to inform you of the side effects of any and all medications.

By: Smokes88

Smokes88 — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 23:31:04 +0000

My son is 9 now and when he was about 5 and 6 he took Singulair. He had alot of strange fears and almost ticks strange breathing facial twitches nothing major. Then for a few year we had change to another drug not knowing any of the information about Singluair. Most of that went away. We made no connection becaue we had not heard nor thought it night be an issue. When he was 8 he started taking it again. He started acting sad and out of the blue he said he had a bad day at school and wished he was dead. Well that is something you notice. My wife went if research mode and ran across the Singular issue. We took him off it and with in a week or so he was back to normal and could not tell you why he said that.

By: drlawmitch

drlawmitch — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:23:43 +0000

Lawsuit filed, Amy Keen v. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp, for depression and suidicidal thoughts, side affects of Singulair. Strict liability, failure to warn, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, negligent distribution. United States District Court, Middle District of Florida. Tell me about your similar experience please. Mfeldman@ffmlawgroup.com. http://www.fightfortheinjured.com

Neuropsychiatric events have been reported in adult, adolescent, and pediatric patients taking SINGULAIR. Post-marketing reports with SINGULAIR use include agitation, aggressive behavior or hostility, anxiousness, depression, dream abnormalities, hallucinations, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, somnambulism, suicidal thinking and behavior (including suicide), and tremor. The clinical details of some post-marketing reports involving SINGULAIR appear consistent with a drug-induced effect.
Patients and prescribers should be alert for neuropsychiatric events. Patients should be instructed to notify their prescriber if these changes occur. Prescribers should carefully evaluate the risks and benefits of continuing treatment with SINGULAIR if such events occur (see ADVERSE REACTIONS, Post-Marketing Experience)
Further Singulair warnings state:
Post-Marketing Experience
The following additional adverse reactions have been reported in post-marketing use:
Blood and lymphatic system disorders: increased bleeding tendency
16 SINGULAIR® XXXXXXX (Montelukast Sodium) Tablets, Chewable Tablets, and Oral Granules
Immune system disorders: hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, very rarely hepatic eosinophilic infiltration
Psychiatric disorders: agitation including aggressive behavior or hostility, anxiousness, depression, dream abnormalities, hallucinations, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, somnambulism, suicidal thinking and behavior (including suicide), tremor (see PRECAUTIONS, Neuropsychiatric Events)
Patient medicine guides state the following are potential side affects:
Behavior and mood-related changes have been reported: agitation including aggressive behavior or hostility, bad/vivid dreams, depression, feeling anxious, hallucinations (seeing things that are not there), irritability, restlessness, sleep walking, suicidal thoughts and actions (including suicide), tremor, trouble sleeping. Tell your doctor if you experience behavior or mood-related changes while taking SINGULAIR.

By: Mom of Asthmatic Teen

Mom of Asthmatic Teen — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:17:43 +0000

My daughter has been on Singular for 2 years (I’ve noticed that simularity in length taken among other posters). It has worked for her but she had suicidal thoughts about a year ago but I don’t attribute her behavior and mental state to the medication. I feel her life stressors and teen/ biological hormonal changes affected those thoughts. She is very smart, well mannered she still takes the medicine with no issues or side effects. Like all medicine you ingest, it will have some sort of side effect or consequence on your body. You have to evaluate and out weigh your options. If I strongly felt this drug is unsafe for my child I would discontinue use. Remember research has its margin of error and deviation. We all react differently to different chemicals. What is not working for some, works for others.

By: Sue Stricklin

Sue Stricklin — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 20:50:34 +0000

I’ve taken Singulair for my asthma for 7 years and I can tell you what the link between Singulair and suicide is. I don’t know the medical terms, but Singulair either hinders the absorbing of the B vitamins, or else it destroys them somehow. There are several B vitamins that, if you don’t get enough of them, will cause you to become depressed. B Vitamins also help you in digestion, which is why so many people who take (myself included) immediately started having Acid Reflux and other digestive problems. I take all the B vitamins every day just to help prevent depression and digestive problems.

By: rocker mom

rocker mom — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:59:09 +0000

i guess this medication doesn’t work the same for everyone my daugther was taking that singulair since she was 5 years old,now she es 12 and she always told me everytime a take that pill my heart is pumping may chest,i gues she means agitation and she always complaint about it,i told the doctor many times ,but he said it helper a lot which it was true but it make her deppresed,she is in advance class but still so depressed,good girl never have complaint ,but she trying to commited suicide,good thing i asked what wrong and she confesed me that,she is in that hospitaland that stupid singulair is out of her side..please no bad reply i’m hurt..

By: Marsh53172

Marsh53172 — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:11:01 +0000

Don’t give your children Singular!!!! I gave it to my daughter and for about a year she was fine then the behavioral problems started. My sweet daughter turned into a depressed, sad crying child. Google side effects from Singular…..I came across a site with pages of parents describing in detail the horrible effects of this drug. Singular seemed to good to be true and it was for awhile….takes at least a month for the stuff to get out of their system. I stopped giving it to her and yes her asthma got a little worse but my daughter is back again. DON’T GIVE THIS DRUG TO YOUR KIDS!!!!!!!

By: MOM of 3

MOM of 3 — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:52:54 +0000

I agree with alot of these postings. I have mixed feelings about this because like many others this drug has helped out tremendously for my 11 year old son. He was put on this drug when he was around 3 years old and it has worked wonders. But around 3 years ago he started waking up in the middle of the night with night terrors. They are very scary. He is ghostly white, shaking, scared and sweating and they scare the whole family. Well the Dr, finally had testing done we went and stayed the night at the hospital and they all came back normal.The Dr. did say that this has been known to happen with other children taking this drug but not enough studies done to prove anything. He also got severely depressed last year to the point where he told me all the time he just wanted to die. I took him off this drug awhile back just because he has been on it for so long and I dont like to have my children on long term medicine if it is not needed anymore. His symptoms of asthma had not been flaring up so I talked to the Dr. and they said I could try taking him off. He was a diffrent child. His grades came up and he dont seem so sad anymore. Well he had a flare up and we put him back on it and he seems depressed again. Then his father told me I needed to look on the internet because he heard singular causes depresion in kids. Now I am reading all these diffrent post and it is scary that medicine that is suppose to help my child could be the cause of this. He is a very good hearted sweet child and loves everybody and everything. And for him to be so sad and hateful is terrible and heartbreaking. I believe I will be taking him to the Dr. to find another alternative for his asthma flare ups. I want to thank everyone for their posts.

By: Dot

Dot — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:31:42 +0000

My husband has just been prescribed Singulair for easing symptoms that the doctor believes are caused by allergies. After reading these letters I am aghast that this medication is still on the market! I want to thank everyone for their input. I have shared this information with my husband and he has decided not to take this. Has anyone here been treated for allergies and had good results with other meds? I am SO glad I decided to research this BEFORE he started taking Singulair. The poor economy issues have caused serious problems with my husband’s business. Had I not come across this blog prior to him taking this med, and he went ahead without this knowing about the (casually mentioned in the script contraindications) depression and anxiety, we may have chalked it all up to actual life stresses. Many thanks for enlightening us before he started taking it. :O)

By: Tony

Tony — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:50:54 +0000

My son is 6 years old and he was put on Singular to control his asthma. It has made him hyper and nervous. In the week he has been on the medication, he has started to bang his arms on the table, blink his eyes constantly, bang his head into the chair and his chest into the table. These seem more than just coincidences to me. My wife and I took him off the medication. Hopefully there is something else out there to control the asthma.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:43:31 +0000

I decided tonight to do a google search tonight to see what the adverse side effects are of Singular. I’ve been having a great deal of problems for the last two years now since I’ve been on Singular, but never associated my problems with Singular until tonight. I finally started to wonder, which led me to this research on line. I am in shock after reading all of the side effects, but it’s all making sense now. The first year I went on Singular, 2007, I had a lot of breathing problems AFTER going on it. I just figured my mild asthma had gotten worse. I Always felt short of breath, or that I couldn’t catch my breath. Even when just sitting and watching tv. Sometimes I would even wake up with it in the middle of the night; unable to catch my breath. I think I had about 3 ER visits thinking that maybe I was having heart problems. It was very, very scary when I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I have also experienced a great deal of anxiety. Of course feeling as though you can’t breathe, does only make the anxiety worse. But these problems were coming on when I felt perfectly calm, watching tv, reading, sleeping. So my doctor of course diagnosed me with Anxiety and gave me Ativan. I went off Singular November 2008 because I was pregnant. We miscarried February 2009. But in that time, I did not have any breathing problems what so ever, nor did I have anxiety problems. Right after I miscarried I went back on the Singular. My breathing problems have now gotten worse, my allergies have gotten worse, I always seem to have a lot of nasal inflamation, my anxiety has gotten worse and I’ve gone through many, many crying spells. The first couple of months, it was a matter of being sad over our miscarriage. But this is now 8 months later and I’m going through deep periods of depression along with crying spells in a way that I have never experienced my entire life. And just last night I woke up at 3am trying to take a deep breath, only felt as though I couldn’t I had to sit on the side of my bed for quite a while and wait for it to come to me. After my episode last night, I decided to do some research, and I truly now feel that Singular is not the drug for me. I’m sure it has helped countless numbers of people and at one point, I swore by it as well. But all of a sudden, it seems to have turned on my system. Good Luck to you all!!! May you all find what works!!!

By: Laurie Clarke

Laurie Clarke — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:19:55 +0000

My 7-year-old son has been flying into fits of rage off and on for about a month. Tonight after calming him down I told him we needed to pray to God for help so that he could stop acting that way. My husband and I were discussing what could have caused this sudden change in behavior and thought of the Singulair he had started taking about 6 weeks ago. He googled Singulair and rage and immediately told me of the side effects. I think our prayers have been answered! I’m looking forward to having my good boy back!

By: ALEAN

ALEAN — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:18:15 +0000

My daughter who is 14 has been taking Singular since it literaaly came out on the market, but a year ago she began to become violent, angry constantly crying and aggressive. This year she began to do to self inflict her body with burns and cuts. At first my husband and I thought the angriness was from teenage hormones but when she began to cut and burn herself we knew more was going on and sought help from a professional at a mental facility (no we didn’t have her committed) but right before the appointment I typed in Singulair on the FDA.gov website and found the article about singular. Loaded with this information that I printed out we went to the mental facility. Now we are waiting on help. Pray and wish us luck.