Singulair

SINGULAIR
The FDA recently issued a report that a possible link between suicide and suicidal thoughts and Singulair is being studied further. The FDA is also studying similar links with suicidal tendencies and medications used for epilepsy, attention deficit disorders, and antidepressants. Below are some facts and recommendations about Singulair that I hope you will find useful. Please feel free to contact our office should you have any further questions about Singulair or any other asthma or allergy medications that you or your family is taking. Last year there were over 30,000,000 prescriptions written for Singulair. In 40 clinical research trials involving over 11,000 people there were no reports of suicide or suicidal thoughts. There has, however, recently been at least one report of suicide in an individual after taking Singulair. While the FDA is currently studying a possible link between suicide and suicidal thoughts and Singulair, they have not yet found any causal relationship. Further studies will take up to 9 months. Currently the FDA has not issued a warning about Singulair. They have informed the public that they are studying the drug further to see if a relationship exists between Singulair and suicide or suicidal thoughts. The FDA has approved the use of Singulair in adults of all ages and children as young as 6 months old as well as pregnant women. In the past 10 years I have not had one patient report to me that they have experienced either depression or suicidal thoughts after the taking Singulair. I have seen only a few cases of insomnia, headache, and behavioral changes in children with this medication. If you or your family who are currently taking Singulair are not experiencing any changes in behavior, evidence of depression, or suicidal thoughts then I do not recommend discontinuing this medication. The ultimate decision to continue taking Singulair is yours and I hope that you familiarize yourself with this and all medications that you or your family takes. Please contact our office if you have any further questions regarding Singulair or any other asthma or allergy medications that we have prescribed for you or your family. Dear Colleague: As you are not doubt aware, the FDA issued a statement last week notifying the public that they are studying a possible link between suicide and suicidal thoughts and Singulair. I am writing to you about this medication to share my thoughts as an individual practitioner and not as a spokesman for Merck Pharmaceuticals. I have been a regional speaker for this product since it was launched ten years ago. Over the years I have read numerous research and clinical trials relating to Singulair, leukotrienes, and other leukotriene blockers and inhibitors. I am unaware of any link between Singulair and depression, suicide or suicidal thoughts in any of my patients who have taken this or similar medications. I currently do not recommend discontinuing Singulair treatment for our patients based on the recent information from the FDA. This information certainly raises a flag and we need to counsel our patients about any possible risks of depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicide that may later be linked to Singulair. However, there is no known causal relationship established as of this date. Below are some facts that you may want to share with your patients. Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have any questions about this information. Last year there were over 30,000,000 prescriptions written for Singulair. In 40 clinical research trials involving over 11,000 people there were no reports of suicide or suicidal thoughts. There has, however, recently been at least one report of suicide in an individual after taking Singulair. While the FDA is currently studying a possible link between suicide and suicidal thoughts and Singulair, they have not yet found any causal relationship. Further studies will take up to 9 months. Currently the FDA has not issued a warning about Singulair. They have informed the public that they are studying the drug further to see if a relationship exists between Singulair and suicide or suicidal thoughts. The FDA has approved the use of Singulair in adults of all ages and children as young as 6 months old as well as pregnant women. I hope you find this information useful and welcome any comments that you might have.

Source: http://www.nwi-asthma.com/pdf/SINGULAIR.pdf