Asthma treatment

I have been taking singulair for years with zero side effects, but recently I’ve been feeling symptoms of depression: no pleasure out of life, feeling like everything is one long useless slog. It may be that I’m having a reaction to events in my life, but I also wonder if (a) menopause is a factor, and (b) if my reaction to singular has changed as I’ve hit menopause. I was taking Singulair for about 3 years, I went off of it about 2-3 months ago and have had feeling of depression,and anxiety and have no interest in much at all. I totally have not felt myself since stopping the Singulair. All my friends say I am not myself, I am actually contemplating on starting the Singulair, because when I was on it, it actually helped tremendously with my allergies and asthma. Has anyone else experienced these effects after going off of the Singulair. My son was on it, for over a year, he is almost 4 now. He was always a funny happy kid. Recently he had started becoming irrational, hitting himself, saying he was very angry, we were seriously wondering what was wrong with him. I then happened to be in the allergist office for myself when i saw the postings on this med. We talked and decided to take him off and see how he was…. All i have to say is…i feel like i have my son back. Within 4 days of being off the med he is happy again and full of life. No more hitting himself and hidding in corners crying. As my alergist said, if you suspect, simply go off for it for a week, it takes 3 days to fully exit the system then see the results. I was on Singulair for at least 3 years and thought that I would get off it cause I thought my asthma was geting better. I was wrong,geting off Singulair can make your asthma Worse,and cause worse wheezing. I’m geting back on Singulair right away,it controls wheezing and asthma. If you have asthma I would not stop taking this medication for wheezing,unless your dr. I haven’t had any reactions from this medication,accept wheezing when I got off of it and that was it. I haven’t been depressed at all being on only Singulair,it could be when you mix it with other medications. I would watch what kind of asthma medications to take as alot have many side effects,do read about the side effects before taking medications. My opinion Asthma is past on from others that have had to of had in the family like grandparents ect.

http://www.healasthma.com

I searched on Singular and depression and read about other reports of similar symptoms so I decided to stop taking Singular. Within two days, I starting feeling better emotionally, but my asthma got worse. It has been two weeks since I completely quit taking Singular, I feel so much better and my thoughts of giving up on life have completely gone. This is really scary, I pray that no one will give up on life because they are experiencing depression as a side effect of taking Singular. For those above who felt better mentally after stoping Singulair, how long did it take for the depression to leave and the mood ro improve. I have been taking Singulair for extended periods of time (2 months), and sporadically. I was put on Singulair before I moved to Australia as a precaution against the intense pollution here. As soon as I moved to Australia, I began noticing changes in my behavior. I was becoming overly anxious, and would have intense mood swings. To complicate the issue further, Australia has an intense night life. So, occasionally, I would have intense mood swings while drinking. However, after hearing the reports I connected the dots. Not only am I taking a medicine unsupervised, but I am also in a completely new environment. A new environment always comes with a certain amount of stressed, and since I moved to Australia basically right after college. So, I do not think this help. When I heard about these reports, I connected the dots myself. Then, I called up all my family and close friends. They admit that I have some trouble with anger, but so does my father (and that may be a learned behavior). But, I am by no means depressed nor do I suffer from rapid mood swings. They say I am generally a normal happy fun loving guy. However, I did not think something was seriously wrong until I blew up at a coworker at friend. Actually, I blew up at more than just one coworker or friend. I am a French teacher, and my caring students noticed a significant difference in my behavior this past Monday. All of this happened after I took Singulair for a week or so then abruptly stopped. I think Singulair might compound all these feelings.

http://www.healasthma.com

I started taking Sinulair a year ago. After 6 months I noticed a changed in my moods, anger and patience level. I was losing my upbeat attitude towards life. I stopped a month ago and my breathing has worsened but my moods are back to my up beat self again.I am now dealing with deeper depression, anxiety, no motivation, I feel confused and want to sleep a lot. I am easily agitated and no sex drive. Not my normal I am usually very active. I started seeing a therapist 3 weeks ago because I felt I had no control over my life anymore and I m always feeling down. I read these articles today and now I am concerned this singulair medication is contributing to my depression and anxiety.

My therapist suggested that I stop taking this singulair. It worked great for allergies but not worth what I going through currently.I will be trying something else for my allergies. I have been on singulair for about 2 years now. I have always been depressed for most of my life but the past 2 years have been hell. I have noticed that it was getting worse and worse and didn’t have any energy, cried alot, ect. I have stopped taking it now for about 1 month since I heard the news and i don’t know if it’s related or not but i’m happy now. I’m not as depressed and have way more energy. I think that speaks for itself really. I can’t wait to see what they find out.

I’ve been taking singulair for a long time and I have been depressed and suicidal for just as long. I never considered a correlation between the two but it would answer a lot of questions. I had been given a prescription for Singular several months ago and had not taken it on a regular basis until my asthma got so bad that I was having to use my relief inhaler several times a day. A couple of months ago I remembered that I still had my prescription and decided to start taking it on a daily basis. The depression started very gradual and I didn’t realize how depressed I was getting until I started having thoughts of giving up on life. I felt like crying all the time, and the thoughts of suicide started occuring more and more. A friend mentioned to me that she had heard that Singular was suspected of causing depression and suicidal thoughts.

http://www.healasthma.com

I have to agree with the “out of sorts and blue feeling. I’ve been procrastinating and have very little energy or interest” but never made any connection with Singulair until today when reading about something else i found info on this. Im not sure if its due to singular or not but lately I have been really down and in a funk. Does singulars depression symptoms kick in right away or a few months after use. Im not motivated to do anything my energy levels are really low and I have alot on my plate which adds to the depression when its not accomplished. I have no record of ever having depression, anxiety or any disorder. At the same time I am so thankful to be able to breath again. I was intubated for 3 days and was in ICU for 5 when my lungs stopped working from a major asthma attack. I used to use my inhaler 6-10 times a day and since singular this past january I picked it up one time only. As I continue to take singulair Ill post updates on my mood changes to see if it continues or not. Right before I read “about” i asked my doctor why is my depression comming and going. I explained to her that I was caught up on my bills, my relationship was fine, and the kids are doing well. I said I should be the happiest person in the world, yet i’m not. The doctor gave me something for depression then I read this. Thanks for the warning because I believe it could only be the singular that is causing my depression. i have been taking singular since january of this year and i have had severe mood swings ever since. my doctor today told me that she just heard about depression being linked with singulair. it sounded funny but it’s a huge possibility. im getting real depressed these days and im not the usual out-going josh anymore. im going to either take a break from singulair or see my doctor soon.

http://www.healasthma.com

Singulair made me crazy…there is no doubt in my mind whatsoever. While taking Singulair (daily for 2 years), I had pronounced mood swings, was depressed and suicidal. I was having very strange thoughts about death and physical trauma and had never felt that way before. Not long after I stopped using Singulair, these symptoms went away completely. There is no doubt in my mind that Singulair is the culprit of those symptoms. Our 16 year old son has been on Singulair for almost a year now (various enviornmental allergies). After hearing about it the side effects on the news a few weeks ago, we decided that it wasn’t worth the risk and took him off. Plus the last nine months he has expressed that he hasn’t felt quite right mentally. He is confused and unsure of things and has low energy. After two days of being off Singulair he became very congested for about three days. We are going to talk with his ENT and get him on something else, as hearing this on the news and reading these comments almost convinces me that the Singulair is affecting his moods. I have been taking singulair for about 8 years. In combination with advair and zyrtec D, my asthma has improved drastically. I couldn’t do anything without wheezing and literally slept with a rescue inhaler under my pillow and used it several times per night. I am currently taking mesd for depression and anxiety but this is due to personal issues and pre-menopause. I am very greatful for what sigulair has done for me… I now work out at a gym 2 times per week and everynight at home on my treadmill for 4 miles. Since December, I have lost 15 lbs and 25 inches… and for the last few summers I have been able to getback into roadbiking and long distance walking which I could never have done this without singulair. My child was on singulair for nearly 4 years. Over the years he has become more irritable and angry. Two years ago he developed an eating disorder at age 9. we have no way to know if this triggered/contributed to that. We’ve been off singulair for 2 weeks but have replaced it with single puff of pulmicort at night. My 9 year old daughter has been on singulair for over a year.

http://www.healasthma.com

I work for a surgeon and I agree that singulair need to be tested for longer periods of time for their potential side effects. I’m somewhat angry at myself for jumping in to him taking the medication at all. I will be talking to his doctor about these concerns. That Singular might be related to triggering – or worsening – depression is very bad news since I did notice an improvement in my asthma symptoms on the medication, however, my mood has worsened recently, and the lack of energy and anhedonia (loss of interest in fun stuff) is marked. I will immediately look for another asthma alternative. If I my mood improves I will post my comment here. My 9 year old son used Singulair for about a year and then stopped in December. At about the time he stopped using Singulair, he became very depressed and developed an eating disorder. A report from the Netherlands discusses depression. The report stated that in three cases the onset of the depression after taking Singulair was from 3-14 days. Discussion and conclusion received four reports of depressive symptoms in patients using montelukast. Possible confounding includes that asthma itself has been associated with the development of depression.

Inhalated corticosteroids can also exert effects on the central nervous system. Fluticason in combination with salmeterol which is used by patients A, B and D, is associated with hyperactivity and irritability whereas budesonide, which is used by patient C also has been associated with depression. The latency of montelukast-induced depressive symptoms varies from 3-14 days.

The fact that the patients (except for one) did not suffer from depressive symptoms before they started montelukast, the short latency, and recovery after withdrawal of the drug all strengthen our hypothesis that depressive symptoms are related to the use of montelukast.

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http://www.healasthma.com

http://www.squidoo.com/singulair-studies-side-effects

On March 27 , 2009 the FDA issued a safety alert regarding the asthma medication Singulair (montelukast). The alert was issued in order to inform healthcare professionals and patients about the agency’s investigation into the possible link between Singulair use and depression and suicidality. During clinical trials, depression was not reported as a side effect, however, drug makers are required to keep track of side effects reported to them after drugs go to market. , which manufactures Singular, had received reports of tremor, depression, suicidality and anxiousness. In February of this year, Merck and the FDA began discussing how to disseminate this information to the public and the decision was made to interact face-to-face with prescribers and provide them with patient information leaflets to distribute.

The FDA is also working with Merck to review its study data as well as reviewing post marketing reports. The FDA estimates that it will take about nine months to complete its investigation and the results will be released to the public once its review is complete. At this time, it is not known whether there is a causal relationship between Singulair and depression and suicidality. Until further information is available, the FDA recommends that patients should not stop taking Singulair before discussing it with their doctor. It also recommends that healthcare professionals and caregivers should monitor patients taking Singulair for any suicidal thinking and behavior or changes in mood.

Singulair is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used to treat asthma and the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, and to prevent exercise-induced asthma. Have you experienced depression or suicidal feelings while using Singulair. Kind of an “out of sorts” and “blue” feeling. If so contact the nearest FDA office.

http://www.squidoo.com/singulair-side-effect

SINGULAIR’s label has been updated multiple times to include bad/vivid dreams, irritability, restlessness (added in 2001), agitation including aggressive behavior, insomnia, hallucinations (added in 2002); tremor (added in March 2007), depression (added in April 2007), suicidal thinking and behavior (added in October 2007), and anxiousness (February 2008). * SINGULAIR is one of the most popular medicines in America; about 28 million prescriptions were filled in 2008. * Neither risk factors for, nor the actual incidence of, adverse reactions to Singulair is known. After a medication is approved and enters the market, adverse reactions that may not have been reported in clinical trials are identified through voluntary reports to pharmaceutical companies and the FDA’s MedWatch program. Pharmaceutical companies are required to notify the FDA when they receive adverse event reports, but physicians are not required to report their patients’ adverse reactions. Only those adverse reactions that are reported are considered when re-evaluating the risk/benefit ratio of a medication. There is no regulated system to immediately communicate updated medication information to consumers, physicians, and pharmacists. Physicians and pharmacists may not be aware of Singulair’s updated side effects or the FDA’s safety review. * Consumers and healthcare providers can sign up for FDA MedWatch e-mail updates to receive updated information about medications/medical products. * Consumer Medication Information (CMI) voluntarily provided by pharmacies is NOT regulated or approved by the FDA and may not contain a comprehensive list of side effects. This news report is also informative: Drug fact sheets may omit facts consumers need. * A reliable source of current and accurate medication information is the National Library of Medicine’s DailyMed website, a database that includes FDA approved labels for over 4400 prescription drugs. _____________________________________________________________________________EVERYONE should be disturbed that a drug with neuropsychiatirc and serious physical side effects is frequently prescribed for children as young as 6 months of age to treat conditions for which it has NOT been proven the best treatment option. Since we cannot predict who will suffer an adverse reaction, we must assume that everyone who takes Singulair is at risk. PLEASE help us raise awareness of Singulair’s side effects so that children (and adults) will not continue to suffer needlessly. SHARE the information on our site with others,

We are Parents United for Pharmaceutical Safety and Accountability, and we are:• raising awareness of the side effects of the asthma and allergy drug Singulair• providing comprehensive information to consumers and professionals• advocating for a “black box” warning and a Medication Guide for Singulair• advocating for legislation to create an effective and accountable system to expedite crucial medication information to consumers, physicians, and pharmacists. Read about us in Cleveland, Ohio’s Plain Dealer NewspaperWe have witnessed firsthand the crippling and devastating effects an adverse reaction to Singulair can have on children and families, and are committed to helping prevent what happened to our children from happening to anyone else. If you are the parent of a child with asthma or allergies and are considering giving your child Singulair, or if you have already made this decision, EDUCATE YOURSELF with the information on our website. Adverse Reactions to Singulair offers an in depth explanation of Singulair’s side effects. Guidelines for Parents gives tips for interacting with your child’s physician, and What Everyone Should Know explains why self-education is so important. If you are a healthcare provider, we urge you to learn everything you can about Singulair before you write another prescription, especially for a child. We also urge you to follow the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) clinical practice guidelines, and ask that you learn from our experience and incorporate our Guidelines for Physicians into your practice. And if you are the parent of a child that has had an adverse reaction to Singulair and you have experienced loss of any type, we hope you find comfort in the fact that you are not alone, and that others are working tirelessly to help change a system that allows children’s mental and physical health to fall through the cracks. _____________________________________________________________________________IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW:* Singulair has NOT been proven the most effective drug to treat asthma or allergies: The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP)recommends that for all age groups, inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective medication for long-term control. Leukotriene receptor antagonists (Singulair) are considered adjunct (additional) therapy with inhaled corticosteroids, and omalizumab for severe asthma.

FDA announced that in April 2009, they completed their review of neuropsychiatric events, (mood and behavioral changes) associated with SINGULAIR (montelukast) and other drugs that act through the leukotriene pathway. FDA stated: “Neuropsychiatric events have been reported in some patients taking montelukast (Singulair), zafirlukast (Accolate), and zileuton (Zyflo and Zyflo CR). FDA has requested that manufacturers include a precaution in the drug prescribing information (drug labeling). ” “The reported neuropsychiatric events include post market cases of agitation, aggression, anxiousness, dream abnormalities and hallucinations, depression, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, suicidal thinking and behavior (including suicide), and tremor. “FDA advised: “Patients and healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential for neuropsychiatric events with these medications. Patients should talk with their healthcare providers if these events occur. Healthcare professionals should consider discontinuing these medications if patients develop neuropsychiatric symptoms. “View the FDA Patient Safety News Video: Neuropsychiatric Events with Certain Asthma Drugs (Singulair, Zyflo, Zyflo CR, Accolate) Parents United for Pharmaceutical Safety and Accountability is pleased that the FDA has acknowledged the neuropsychiatric side effects of Singulair, and that the assertions of the many parents whose children suffered adverse reactions to this drug have been validated. We are disappointed however that the FDA is asking for a warning in the “Precautions” section of Singulair’s label instead of requiring a “black box” warning and a Medication Guide.

Our children suffered horrible adverse reactions to the popular asthma and allergy drug Singulair (montelukast sodium) manufactured by Merck & Co. While taking this drug, our sons and daughters developed symptoms consistent with behavioral, developmental, emotional, learning, anxiety, and mood disorders. Some expressed suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and some took their own lives. Many of our children were misdiagnosed for years because neither we, nor our children’s doctors, had the necessary information to correctly identify their physical and behavioral symptoms as adverse reactions to Singulair. With the exception of the children that we lost, our children experienced a remission of symptoms when they stopped taking Singulair.