Does Singulair Cause Suicidal Tendencies?

My wife has asthma and uses Singulair for treatment in pill form on a maintenance basis. This is referred to as a preventative medication and dose as opposed to what is called a "rescue medication."

Medications that are used for the control and treatment of asthma are Singulair, which is a leukotriene modifier, reducing the number of leukotrienes that are released during an asthma attack and cause swelling; LABA medications which are bronchodilators; corticosteroids that come from an inhaler and minimize inflammation and swelling and, finally Theophylline which is used for nighttime symptoms. All of these medications are essentially used for maintenance treatment and the prevention of an asthma attack.

Short-acting "rescue medications" (for asthma attacks), include Atrovent and short-acting beta-2 agonists which get into the system quickly and last for a short term of from four to six hours.

My wife has never had any symptoms of suicidal thoughts although she has had depression at times. These episodes were very mild and it is hard to say whether or not the symptoms were related to Singulair usage.

According to Fox News, the FDA has changed the labeling of Singulair four times in the last year due to symptoms of depression, tremors, anxiousness and suicidal behavior. Also, there were claims of four suicides reported.

It needs to be understood that no correlation has been proven between Singulair and suicide. Further, it may take about nine months for the results of the study to be completed.

Also according to Fox News, The Merck Company who manufactures Singulair, despite no research proof, has added a suicide warning to the label.

As is often the case, The Food and Drug Administration has been criticized for not acting more quickly on this issue.

In evaluating Singulair, since it is a leukotriene, it is technically the only long-term medication that directly blocks the leukotrienes that are released during an asthma attack.

Is a person with asthma at the mercy of medication for asthma control? In some cases they will be totally dependant on the availability and effectiveness on one or more of the current medications.

Asthma is sometimes triggered by exercise. Asthma is sometimes triggered by stress. Finally, asthma is sometimes triggered by going into an area where an asthmatic shouldn't go such as a newly mowed lawn.

The problem with Singulair is not unique. All it does is point to one major problem we have with our medical treatment delivery system. As consumers, we expect immediate recovery from illnesses. Further, drug companies are under more and more stress to maintain their profits due to research overheads with some competition coming from outside the country. Finally, cost prevention programs curtail their profits.

To add a final problem to the mix, hospitals are more involved with what a doctor can and can't do; what they can and can't prescribe; this limits some drug sales.

We certainly need to protect the public. It is disconcerting when a drug with the popularity of Singulair has to constantly be re-evaluated.

References:

foxnews.com
medications.com