Do you take the drug Singulair? This commonly used medication is prescribed for treatment of both allergies and asthma, including seasonal allergies such as hayfever. It’s also used to treat asthma symptoms brought on by exercise. It has a good safety record and using Singulair for allergies and asthma has generally been regarded as safe and effective. Recently, it’s come to light that using Singulair can lead to some disturbing side effects in some people. Is using Singulair safe?

How Does Singulair Work?

Singulair acts by blocking the effects of a group of chemical compounds known as leukotrienes. When these compounds interact with receptors on the lungs, they cause the airways to constrict which leads to the symptoms of asthma. Leukotrienes also play a role in causing allergy symptoms, including seasonal allergies. By blocking the action of leukotrienes, Singulair helps to control both asthma and allergy symptoms. Singulair is more effective for preventing asthma than it is treating a sudden asthma attack. Most asthmatics still require an inhaler or other medication to treat sudden asthma symptoms when they occur.

What Are the Risks of Using Singulair?

Singulair has generally been thought to be a safe medication with few risks. Some of the typical side effects have included nausea, mild indigestion, and difficulty sleeping. Now, it appears that using Singular may be associated with serious mood changes and behavior problems. In addition to sleep problems, some patients on Singulair experience significant anxiety and depression along with marked behavior changes such as agitation and aggression. More severe symptoms such as hallucinations, delusiona, and suicidal behavior have also been described. Because of these reports, the FDA is investigating this drug more closely, although they haven’t advised that anyone discontinue it as of yet.

Is Using Singulair Risky?

Extreme mood and behavioral changes are only seen in a minority of people using Singulair, but it’s difficult to say who will experience this problem. Because of the difficulty predicting who will serious side effects and the fact that there are other medications available to treat allergies and asthma, it’s a drug that should be used with extreme caution. This is particularly true for treatment of allergies where the symptoms may be mild and could respond well to other drugs such as antihistamines.

The Bottom Line?

If you’re using Singulair for treatment of allergies or asthma, it would be best to talk to your doctor, particularly if you’re experiencing mood changes or sleep disturbances. With so many treatments available for asthmas and allergies, there may be a better alternative that won’t put you at risk for psychological disturbance.