Possible Link Between Singulair and Suicide

March 2008

The popular asthma and hay fever drug Singulair may be linked to serious adverse side effects in patients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating anecdotal reports of suicidal behavior and suicide in users of the medication.

In the past year, manufacturer Merck has added suicidal thinking and behavior, tremors, depression, and anxiety to the list of the Singulair's possible adverse side effects. The FDA has now asked Merck to further investigate Singulair study data about reports of behavior and mood changes, suicidal thoughts, and suicide in patients who took the medication.

The evaluation may last up to nine months, and for now doctors are urged to closely monitor patients taking Singulair. Singulair belongs to a class of drugs called leukotriene receptor antagonists. The FDA says that it will investigate whether similar medications, such as Accolate, Zyflo, and Zyflo CR, have negative effects on behavior and mood.