FDA Investigating Possible Singulair, Suicide Link

[Kadie]

Mar 27, 2008 8:45 am US/Pacific

FDA Investigating Possible Singulair, Suicide Link


WASHINGTON (AP) ― The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday it is investigating a possible link between Merck's allergy drug Singulair and suicide.

FDA said it is reviewing reports of mood changes, suicidal behavior and suicide in patients who have taken the drug, which was Merck's best-selling product last year.

In the past year Merck has updated the drug's labeling four times to include information on tremors, anxiousness, depression and suicidal behavior reported in some patients.

more...
http://cbs13.com/national/fda.singular.suicide.2.686104.html





FDA probes suicide risk in Merck Singulair
Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:05 PM BST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. health regulators are probing a possible connection between Merck & Co's Singulair asthma drug and suicidal behavior, the Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday.

The FDA said it is reviewing the issue after receiving reports of mood and behavior changes, suicidal thinking and suicide in patients who took the drug, which is used to treat stuffy nose, sneezing and other allergy symptoms as well as asthma.

The agency did not say how many reports it had received.

While no definite link to the drug has been established, the FDA said it has asked Merck to evaluate its data for more information on the risk. The agency said it expects it to take up to nine months to finish its own review.

more...
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=healthNews&storyid=2008-03-27T160525Z_01_WBT008653_RTRIDST_0_HEALTH-MERCK-FDA-DC.XML

[Cooley Hurd]

1. I take Singulair, and it helps my asthma...

...if they take it away, I swear I'll kill myself!:evilgrin:

[Kadie]

2. I take it too.

I sleep better because I breath better, and that has made me less anxious.


;)

[Xithras]

3. It's depression brought on by sticker shock.

I liked Singulair, but my insurance wouldn't cover it and HOLLYYYDAMN was it expensive. They wanted me on Zyrtec instead, which was a bit more reasonable for me. Of course, since it's OTC now, it's not covered either. Still cheaper than Singulair though.

[Jazzgirl]

4. I guarantee I will slit my wrists if they take this away!

I've been thinking about that for a looooonnnnggg time.......... }(