Singulair and Suicidal Thoughts; FDA Investigates While I Take Cymbalta

A Personal Account on Singulair and What More Can Be Done to Prevent Medication-Related Suicide

Singulair is now under investigation by the FDA into a possible link between the allergy and asthma medication and suicidal thoughts or other mood changes. Meanwhile, Merck has already revised the label of the drug while it is under investigation.

As found on YouTube, CBS conducted a heart-wrenching interview with Kate Miller, a mother who lost her 15-year-old son to suicide last August, apparently after recently switching from Allegra to Singulair. No pre-existing behavioral or mental problems
Singulair and Suicidal Thoughts; FDA Investigates While I Take Cymbalta
 were noted prior to the incident. Following this tragedy, three additional reports concerning suicide and Singulair were sent to the FDA and subsequently an investigation was launched.

Singulair is now prompting many concerns and questions from patients and parents, understandably.

A Personal Account of Singulair, Depression and Suicidal Thoughts

Given that I take three medications for sinusitis and allergies, Singulair, Claritin and Flonase, I can appreciate both the conditions and the drugs. Yet, I did not take Singulair on a regular basis until recently, when I relocated and found my allergy battles increasing ten-fold. Worse yet, Cymbalta, an antidepressant, is now added to the pharmacological cocktail--goji berries just weren't cutting it. Is there a correlation here between the new depression and Singulair?

As for mood changes, the truth be told, I rarely experience serious depression, let alone suicidal ideation. But it doesn't take a Beck Depression Inventory to quantify my semi-recent changes in mood, coincidently or not, while on a regular dose of Singulair.

When I lose interest in and feel hopeless about writing-and we're not talking mere discouragement or burnout-there is a serious problem. This includes uncharacteristically losing myself for two weeks in a recently purchased used Xbox. This may be normal for some people, but not for me--such is why I didn't own the gaming console prior. And, it was especially unhealthy when I turned down writing jobs in the process, feeling unmotivated and incapable.

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I took singular for quite awhile. I went to the doc complaining of severe depression, lack of interest in ANYTHING, and anxiety attacks that were huge. The answer was to presrcibe anti depressant and anxiety medicine. They made me worse so I stopped them. As soon as I read about singular I stopped that too. I have COPD and at times it's rough but I've learned breathing techniques, and natural remedies that help and if necessary take clariten. Family insists that I am better able to cope with stress and I am writing again and enjoying it! can't swear it was the singular, but can't swear that it wasn't!

Posted on 06/26/2008 at 1:06:39 PM

I stopped taking singular because of your article. I thought that I was feeling irrationally angry over smaller things. The anger is gone. If it is psychological, oh well! the singular wasn't working anyway. thanks for the warning, my doctor even sent out a letter on the possibility.

Posted on 06/18/2008 at 5:06:04 AM

Wow! What a wake-up call! Take good care of yourself, Donna!

Posted on 06/03/2008 at 1:06:00 PM

Drugs re wonderful but scary too. We have to research everything we put into our bodies! Great article.

Posted on 05/25/2008 at 11:05:27 AM

This article is great. I can totally identify.

Posted on 05/24/2008 at 7:05:55 PM

This is an exceptional piece Donna, and you deserve the five stars that you have received for it. This is a serious concern that deserves public attention, so I'm glad you took the time to share your personal experience with Singulair. Given your outstanding talent as a writer, it's a shame that you went through such an awful period that robbed you of your motivation to do the thing that you are so passionate about. No one, in fact, should have to go through this. Thankfully you are back to tell your story!

Posted on 05/22/2008 at 9:05:44 PM

Great Job! Judy

Posted on 05/19/2008 at 8:05:57 PM

I probably already commented on this before (don't feel like looking through all the comments. LOL), but this is an excellent piece on this possible link. My kids take Singulair and have not had any problems, but if they do, I will know a possible cause. Thank you. :-)

Posted on 05/19/2008 at 2:05:39 PM

Well, plenty of others have already said it, so I'll just join the chorus - excellent article. It's all too easy to go into melodramatic, schlocky hype and irresponsible sensationalism on a story like this but you struck an excellent balance and showed the human side of the story well. It would be nice if responsible journalism got more attention and money but it seems there's an insatiable demand for overblown crass sensationalism.

Posted on 05/10/2008 at 4:05:25 AM

I took Singulair for back pain once. I didn't feel suicidal but I did feel so bad, I had to discontinue the medication. Wonderful article.

Posted on 05/07/2008 at 3:05:30 PM

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