Due to the increased risk of suicide while taking the popular asthma medication, Singulair, the FDA added the strongest warning to medication in March of this year. The agency received countless reports of potential psychiatric side effects for years before adding the label.
About Singulair
Singulair (montelukast) is a class of drugs of selective leukotriene receptor antagonists. Patients take an oral pill daily to treat asthma or seasonal allergies. Both children and adults can take Singulair. The manufacturer indicates common side effects include stomach pain, diarrhea, fever, flu-like symptoms, stuffy nose, sinus pain, or headache. Other side effects may include skin rashes, ear pain or swelling, severe tingling, and changes in mood or behavior. However, the box does not mention any mental side effects.
Singulair Suicide Risk
In a drug safety communication issued on March 4, 2020, the FDA announced a black box warning (the strongest label warning possible) for Singulair after a new review of an observational study by the Sentinel Distributed Database. Plus, the agency has received many adverse event reports involving the mental side effects. These risks may outweigh the benefits of alleviating asthma symptoms.
In 2009, the FDA first gave Singulair a warning about behavioral and suicide side effects after receiving 82 cases of “completed suicides” linked to the medication’s use. The agency indicates that 45 of those cases involved patients older than 17 years old. Also, there were 19 cases of patients 17 years old or younger, and 18 cases without an age.
Free Singulair Suicide Consultation
Therefore, if you have experienced mental illness symptoms after taking Singulair, you may be eligible for compensation to offset your financial, physical, and emotional burdens. Contact us today to set up a free consultation during which we will listen to your story and discuss your legal rights and options. If you choose us to represent you, we will work with you on a contingency fee basis; this means you pay nothing until we have secured compensation for you, either through a jury verdict or settlement.