National Jewish Statement on Singulair Investigation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that it is investigating a possible link between the use of the asthma and allergy medication Singulair (montelukast) and behavior or mood changes, including suicidal thinking and action.

The investigation is based upon a small number of reported suicides among millions of people who have taken Singulair. None of the more than 40 studies of Singulair involving more than 11,000 adults and children have reported a link between Singulair and suidical thoughts or actions. Each year more than 32,000 people in the United States commit suicide. The FDA investigation is expected to take up to nine months to complete. Until then, no one can be sure if there is any link between Singulair and suicide.

In the meantime, physicians at National Jewish recommend that patients taking Singulair, and the related medications Accolate, Zyflo, and Zyflo CR, should continue taking those medications as long as they are effective and the patient does not experience any suicidal behavior or thoughts.

Patients who experience significant behavior or mood changes, especially signs of depression or thoughts of suicide, should consult their physicians immediately to discuss whether to continue taking the medication.

Additional resources:

FDA Statement on Singulair Investigation

Joint Statement from the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology and the American College of Allergy Asthma & Immunology

Statement from Singulair manufacturer, Merck & Co., Inc.