Comments on: Asthma, Singulair and Depression

By: Helen

Helen — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:12:03 +0000

I first got prescribed Singulair in December 2009… After that I started to get really bad depression, I blamed a number of things and I’m still not entirely sure if Singulair was the cause. However, that’s when the depression started and I’ve come off it about a month ago and the depression has lifted.

I’m not denying I’ve had other things that could of triggered the depression off but after reading this it could be related to Singulair.

Very worrying, I shall be binning my tablets because I can’t be having those dark thoughts or feeling down like the way I was.

I even cancelled my wedding because I thought it was the stress of that making me feel down!!

By: Five Ways to Reduce Your Children’s Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

Five Ways to Reduce Your Children’s Exposure to Toxic Chemicals — Tue, 18 May 2010 18:31:19 +0000

[...] five things, the one I would have never thought of is opening the windows. My daughter’s allergies and asthma would lead me to believe that letting the high-allergen and sometimes pollution-warned air inside [...]

By: Super Nanny Supports Asthma Education Campaign

Super Nanny Supports Asthma Education Campaign — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:50:16 +0000

[...] SINGULAIR is known to cause depression in its patients, including children as young as five years old. Yes, that’s right, my five-year-old daughter suffered from depression as a result of using SINGULAIR. We thought it was a wonder drug as it cut our trips to the ER for asthma flare-ups in half. However, when she started talking about dying and no one caring if she was dead, I began to worry. [...]

By: FDA Acknowledges Neuropsychiatric Side Effects of Singulair

FDA Acknowledges Neuropsychiatric Side Effects of Singulair — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:58:47 +0000

[...] for the FDA update on the negative side effects that children on Singulair experienced (read Asthma, Singulair and Depression for our story). Updated Information on Leukotriene Inhibitors: Montelukast (marketed as Singulair), [...]

By: Jan

Jan — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:59:39 +0000

Dear Melissa:

I hope you have seen some improvement. My son suffered horribly from Singulair. Lots and lots of children have suffered in much the same way as Ava: weepy, depressed, OCD-like behavior, very anxious, very explosive, and having negative self-thoughts. I am trying to spread the word so that more physicians and parents can recognize these symptoms if they occur. Please visit our website: http://www.parentsforsafety.org to connect with other parents whose children have suffered.

My son is doing much better – he went from having severe social anxiety in Kindergarten (despite having lots of friends in preschool) to making friends and having fun (he had really stopped having fun and had become obsessed with death), now that he is in the 3rd grade and has been off of Singulair for more than a year. He does still have some anxiety from time to time, but it pales in comparison to what he suffered while on Singulair.

These kinds of symptoms are particularly hard to identify because 1) it seem counterintuitive that they would be linked to asthma medication, and 2) early childhood development has many stages where emotional development is incomplete and it is hard to distinguish a normal tantrum from more serious symptoms. That’s why it can sometimes take a while to figure it out.

This is why it is so important to raise awareness, especially among doctors. Stopping the drug can help determine if it is what is behind the problem. There are many, more effective treatments for asthma that can be used instead. (Although some of these too, carry risks of side effects.) Also, many children do grow out of asthma, and you can do a lot to prevent episodes by removing triggers from their environment.

I wish you the best of luck and would love to hear if things improve.

By: Mutterings Of A Mindless Mommy » Update on the Singulair/Depression Issue

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:42:17 +0000

[...] described Ava’s current situation in the post Asthma, Singulair and Depression. Monday was the last time she received a dose of the medication and we’re already noticing [...]

By: Casdok

Casdok — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:06:16 +0000

Oh i do hope there is some improvement.

By: Maddy

Maddy — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:32:54 +0000

Now that’s very interesting! [to be selfish for a moment there] My youngest has suffered from depression / periods of unaccountable sadness / crying / negative talk since he was 3 [although nobody believed me] and that’s without the medication.

Hope you see some positive results soon as I know how heart wrenching that can be.
BEst wishes

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:26:43 +0000

Thanks Jenn. It started off a few weeks ago with “I don’t have any friends” – the girl is Ms. Popularity at school (okay, its preschool, but still hehe). Once it got to these types of statements I knew something just wasn’t right. Thanks for the prayers!

By: Jenn

Jenn — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:43:15 +0000

Oh my. That would be very upsetting to hear. So glad you had done your research and knew about the possible link. Sounds like you’re onto something. Meanwhile, Ava will be in my prayers.