Anti histamine symptoms and conditions

Flindy is correct. It is easily possible to be just plain allergic to montelukast- Singulair. Where were the other "allergens" that her child was exposed to? It was, at least hopefully, a sterile environment.

Montelukast is a quinoline. Drugs often are built around a core molecular called a pharmacophore, the molecule responsible for the drug's important characteristics. There is an enormous amount of literature regarding adverse side effects for other drugs in that category.

At the time when Merck was pursuing quinoline as the pharmacophore, other companies were pursing other core molecules. So a quinoline core is not the only choice of drugs. The huge problem is that doctors are not aware that Singulair is not an anti-histamine. They are not warned that the core molecule is a quinoline so they don't know to watch out for allergic reactions especially serious ones.

It would be common knowledge that a quinoline radical (in an acid pH) could react with hydrogen peroxide to produce quinilinic acid, a nasty neurotoxin. When I hear of neuro-psychiatric side effects that appear to coincide with times when hypoglycemia could be happening, then maybe there are some genetically pre-disposed people that actually are experiencing times of ketoacidosis. Scientist have known about quinolinic acid since the 1940's. Malaria drugs containing quinoline come with a warning about hypoglycemia and electrolyte imbalance. Which comes first - the chicken or the egg- the reaction to the drug then the hypoglycemia or the hypoglycemia then the reaction? It would be amazingly easy to prove whether quinolinic acid is responsible for these neurological side effects.

I am appalled by two things. One is that Merck has such power over the FDA that the FDA fails to even recognize basic pharmacophore characteristics. Merck manages to snow them somehow with just words - leukotriene receptor antagonist. So what is the FDA reaction? Merck should review their clinical data. How about find some people who are suffering from Singulair side effects and do some tests? Then you might actually find out why.

If it turns out that anyone at Merck or FDA knew that montelukast carried significant risk of allergic reactions due to it's pharmacophore and they chose not to reveal that in the literature for marketing reasons, those people should be prosecuted. It should not be the job of doctors who prescribe medications to do their own research.

I usually have allergy headaches in the morning which would go away after taking 1 Benadryl w/ Tylenol. About a week ago my doctor started me on Singulair because she was concerned about me taking Tylenol daily. The last few days I've had terrible headaches that linger most of the day. (I've continued to take the Benadryl w/ Tylenol to try to help the headaches, but it's just not working.) Today is day 7 with the Singulair, and the headaches seem to be getting worse. Are headaches common with Singulair?

One of the most important questions we should be asking as parents is:

How does Singulair - a leukotriene receptor antagonist (blocks the receptors) affect the normal function of the mast cell?

The mast cell is the FRONT LINE DEFENSE against invading micro-organisms. When Singulair was invented, there was limited knowledge regarding the mechanisms by which the mast cell performed it's function. In my opinion, the focus was very narrow - those interested zeroed in on how the leukotriene receptor performed a role in the cause of asthma attacks and how ashma attacks could be prevented. Well, that's good preventing asthma attacks. But what happens to the mast cell if that receptor is blocked on a long term basis. I am not suggesting that blocking the receptor is bad but what if the long term effect is different than what we are are lead to believe-which is this is a safe medication with no known long term effects. What if the leukotriene receptor was just blocked short term a week or two to allow the body to clean up the mess from the last attack?

I seriously question what is going on with all of these infections. Are they related to crippling the mast cell? Parents should be allowed to question. If Merck doesn't want to answer questions regarding what happens to the mast cell (including are the numbers of mast cell decreased on Singulair), then something really BIG is missing. If by any chance (unknown at the moment) that the mast cell is significantly changed and therapy by montelukast is proper on a short but not long term basis, so freakin' what if Singulair is not a huge money maker any more.

Parents deserve every answer possible when decisions regarding their child's growth and development is on the line. I hope that we get some answers.

Of course, what was there in 2002 were new questions-not necessarily answers about the mast cell. Did anybody apply this to Singulair studies?
May 2002

From Journal of Clinical Investigation

Pattern recognition receptors on mast cells
The Toll-like receptors (TLRs) fit the definition of pattern-recognition molecules, which were originally postulated to allow the innate immune system to detect the 'molecular signatures' of various infectious agents. Although the innate immune system has no memory, it shows a degree of specificity, in part because the various TLRs recognize different sets of pathogen-associated molecules. Dermal mast cells are usually associated, not with the innate immune system, but with atopic dermatitis, but Supajatura et al. have found that these cells also express TLRs. They report here that TLR4, which binds the gram-negative product lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and TLR2, which binds peptidoglycan (PGN) from gram-positive organisms like Staphylococcus aureus, induce distinct mast cell responses. Staphylococcus is known to exacerbate allergic dermatitis, but it has generally been thought to act by inducing antibacterial IgE's, which trigger mast cell degranulation by stimulating the IgE receptor. Interestingly, the authors show that the interaction between PGN and TLR2 can provoke mast cell degranulation directly, sidestepping the need for IgE receptor engagement.

I am repeating one of my post regarding the Swedish study of the side effects of Singulair. When I read that parents have complained to their doctors about side effects and been dismissed, and told to continue the medication, I truly questions whether these doctors are giving their patients the right to INFORMED CONSENT.

I have been told by doctors before something like this "That is my professional opinion - I stand by it ." And I have said right back-- I understand that is your opinion. But if you don't have the time to tell me what I need to know then I am not giving you my informed consent. I get an entirely different attitude after that point. Because, that is how doctors get sued. Parents/patients didn't understand.

1. Have parents been told the complete reasons why it would be absolutely necessary, just necessary, or desirable to take Singulair and why?
2. Have parents been told what the alternative treatments are and the possible side effects of those treatments?
3. Have parents been given an option of another treatment when they complaint about the side effects of Singulair?
4. Do parents know that headache is a side effect that occurs in 18% of patients? These headache have indicated some serious events in European hospital reports. They are not just sinus headaches.
5. Do parents know that Singulair can cause serious events that require hospitalization as referenced in European hospital reports? These reports have described the event and provided laboratory test results that prove that Singulair was the cause.
6. Singulair in NOT an anti-histamine. Can your doctor fully explain to you how Singulair interacts with the receptors on the mast cell (cell part of the immune system)? Can your doctor fully explain how the mast cell will be changed by this? The mast cell has a number of receptors that interact with each other to tell the mast cell how to function normally; when it's time to die; when it's time to be replaced; and when to tell the bone marrow to send a replacement mast cell. Singular CHANGES the immune system---- good or bad???

So here is the report from Sweden to take to your doctors. Would your doctor give consent for his/her children after reading this? Maybe he/she would BUT at the very least that doctor would be looking for side effects that could mean trouble.

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Update: I have spent hours searching scientific data bases for articles on Singulair. So far this is the most direct reference to adverse drug reactions and Singular.

For anyone who wanted to print the article from the Swedish researchers that stated that their study suggested that montelukast (singulair) should be investigated for adverse psychiatric drug reactions, I was able to find a link with open access to the public. So far, this is the only article that I have found. I am still searching through databases. This link should work if you cut and past. I am sure that all doctors would appreciate the opportunity to read it for themselves to see what they think.

PRINT REPORT.

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6904/8/1

Individual case safety reports in children in commonly used drug groups – signal detection Gertrud Brunlöf , Carina Tukukino and Susanna M Wallerstedt Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Regional Pharmacovigilance Centre, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden author email corresponding author email BMC Clinical Pharmacology 2008, 8:1doi:10.1186/1472-6904-8-1 Conclusion In conclusion, the present study indicates that ADRs are reported for commonly used drugs in children. The number of ICSRs varies in different groups of drugs. A possible signal for montelukast and psychiatric adverse drug reactions was found, which should be further explored.

Please don't forget to PRINT the Tables which open on a separate page. Table 2 lists the specific side effects that they found which include anxiety, aggression, night mares, pain, and several others.

Merck's own website states that Singulair is not an anti-histamine. I cannot imagine any General Practitioner receiving a clear picture of how Singulair actually works from this site. Nor, are they being presented with the truth about the side effects. The whole site is a bunch of marketing FLUFF that never gets to the point. At the very least, the GP's should be on the rampage with us for being deceived.

I plan to rant about this later. What a dumbed-down presentation (Merck's site)? What an insult?

http://www.singulair.com/montelukast_sodium/singulair/hcp/allergies/efficacy/index.jsp

Oh my gosh, I am just shocked after reading these posts. I am taking my son off of Singulair immediatedly!!!! I knew I wasn't crazy!! My son was on Singulair for over 2 years and it was awful. He was so hyper and uncontrollable. He couldn't control his temper. He had headaches everyday. He was put on it due to severe allergies and asthma. He is on other medications as well as allergy shots. I kept telling the doctor that I think the singulair was causing his bad behavior problems. He was just so hard to handle. He couldn't sit still for anything. The teacher couldn't get him to sit still in his chair. It just wasn't normal behavior for him. The teacher even thought he had ADD!! I didn't accept that however. The doctor just thought I was crazy and told me that Singulair wouldn't cause those symptoms. She said it actually would work opposit that and cause him to be sleepy. Well I took him off of it anyways and he did get pretty sick. His asthma acted up ect. But he eventually felt better and his behavior improved drastically. He wasn't so hyper and he could actually sleep at night and wasn't so scared at night. Just within the last week he has been pretty sick due to allergy season, his asthma has been bad and the doctor told me to put him back on the Singulair. So I did he has been on it for four days now and he is HORRIBLE.. It was an instant change. My husband and I can't control him and he can't sleep at night and has headaches every day. I am so glad I found this sight. I am taking him off immediately.
Thank you all so much for your comments. This medicine should be outlawed. I don't care what the doctors say. By the way my son is 9 years old. I certainly had no idea that it has caused suicide. I am so sorry to you all that have experienced such horrible things. Come to think of it my son used to say he hated himself all of the time when he was on this medicine.
God Bless You All

I have a question that will help me continuing looking for information. I can understand that in the case of asthma that Singulair would provide immediate relief. If it is used for seasonal allergies or other allergies without asthma, does it work right away or does it take a period of days or weeks to be effective? If it takes time, could you tell me how long it took in your situation.

After bith my childrens births I have experienced a enigmatic skin disease / disorder which has been unclassified by dermatologists and specialists. First I experienced blisters on my torso, which crusted over and followed with severe urticaria-like wheels all over my body. Doctors placed me on Prednisone 5mg tablets ( 40mg daily) for 4 months, in which time the symptoms subsided , but the side -effects for this Mother was terrible!!! I experienced a 12kg weight-gain, uncontrollable appetite, excessive sweating, dizziness , shortness of breath and extreme hairloss. My skin thinned and OI bruised very quickly. No diagnosis could be made. After the induced -birth of my second child now, I have the same episode and had been placed on Prednisone for the second time just to cope with the swelling.

I am currently in my 7th week of using 10mg - 15mg daily with an anti-histamine. I hate the re-occuring side-effects and am very scared of all the long-term damage. Does anyone have any idea how to boost your own natural immune-defence system while being bombarded witha immuno-suppressant like Prednisone??!!!!

I believe that your own body ws made to heal itself or be healed by natural means... but how and what?? I am desperate, and have been following a anti-candida like diet ( no yeast + sugars + preserved foods) Thus far I have not been able to kick the symptoms. Any help out there would be much appreciated. Have someone experienced the same sort of symptoms???

My 8 year old son began using Advair this year after a bout of wheezing sent us to Urgent care. When he was finally officially diagnosed with Asthma this fall, our GP gave us Advair again. My son did great as far as asthma and breathing - didn't need his rescue inhaler once. Unfortunately he gained 8 pounds in 3 weeks and his face and stomach began to look extremely puffy. He also had 3 nosebleeds in quick succession, one when he slept which was a much larger nosebleed than he'd ever had before. I immediately discontinued his use of Advair when I went online and looked at the side effects. Unfortunately I had to talk to the nurses at my clinic several times to explain to them that I was CERTAIN an 8 lb weight gain was not normal and that I was no longer giving this medication to my son, no matter what our GP said. It seems that the clinical trials didn't show weight gain as a significant symptom, but later reporting by doctors has shown it. Doctors don't seem to have this information!

The drug Doxycycline belongs to the tetracycline group of barrow spectrum antibiotics particularly aimed at killing gram-negative bacteria such as those causing Lyme disease, inhibition of malaria virus transcription, etc. The problem however with this drug is the severe side effects it brings about... Which ranges from all symptoms stated on this web page. It is therefore thought that one has to stop the drug in order to halt the occurrence of the side effects. WRONG! Do not stop doxycycline regardless of what pain or discomfort you are experiencing. It is important to always complete the dosage to the last grain as bacteria have a very high ability to develop resistance from this drug. ONly stop the drug if you develop adverse reactions or allergic reactions which can result in date. Such cases, fortunately are quite rare. Here are a few things to take/do to ease the symptoms.
Stomach Pain- Down as many glasses of water as you can. The pain is brought about by the drug still being present in the digestive system long after food has been absorbed. It is a slow acting drug, releasing its active agents gently into the human body. Hence, taking it with lots of food at d same time wont prevent the drug from causing stomach pain/cramps. Do this as often as you can.
Drowsiness-confusion- Steaming hot cup of tea. Tea doesn't react with the drug and revitalizes your brain.
Rash- An anti-histamine usually does the trick
Sunburn- Use a sunblock!
Lower back pain- This is a less frequent side effect but has been reported in some instances... causes a lot of discomfort. Pop two analgesics and take a 15minute walk. Clears up like magic.
Nausea- Metoclopramide Hcl... This eases off the nausea. It is not an antacid.
I hope I am able to be of some assistance. For more direct consultations, you can contact me on ******Get well soon.

I had the Mirena inserted on 25 June 2007 as I was having terrible trouble with my prolonged periods. After having endometriosis and a cysts removed, doctors advised this would be the best thing for me, especially as I've had lots of problems with several different contraceptive pills.

However, since 25 June, I have been bleeding, I stopped for 2 days and now have started bleeding again! Hair is falling out, mood is really low and my skin has become really itchy especially on my face. No matter what cream I use, even tried anti-histamine tabs, it's just getting worse. Last night I experienced terrible leg pains in both legs.

I'm going back to the doctors today and am now seriously considering having the thing removed as soon as I can. I don't feel myself at all.

Has anyone else experienced problems such as this?

Yas

I have been on lisinopril for 7 years and and have gradually become aware of side effects coming on slowly - and now worsening allot of late. I was moved from 10mg to 20mg and things have gotten quite bad - allot of joint pain, generalized fatigue, and just lately I have broken out in hives in a huge way - on my torso and appendages - but these just do not go away - I take huge doses of anti-histamine, and it barley touches it. I just had to stop taking the drug - so I did not take my dose last night, but today I still am covering with welts and hives. I had my wife take digital pictures of the really bad areas that look almost scarred now from the recurring welts - cortisone cream doesn't help at all - I can hardly go to work like this. I don't know when this will stop but I have stopped taking my 20mg

1500mg/day for 2 yrs now and it's been a lonnnnng road with this flushing and itching. The typical avoidance foods, hot showers, spicy foods..etc..all help to aoid the side effects. However, if you still get that flushing/itching effect, take some antihistamine medication. Benedryl works, although it will make you drowsy, but it's worth it ! It relieves the itching !

Why does this happen ? it's NOT niacitic poisoning like some on this site suggest. Niaspan causes vasodilation of your the blood vessels in your skin. This causes your mast cell to increase thus triggering a production of histamine in your skin receptors. This is what causes the unbearable itching to occur. It is completely harmless, however, it can be un-bearable at times when the flushing/itching become severe. So taking an ANTI-histamine works well. Time on the medication helps. Reducing the dosage may help as well, however, you will most likely see a drop in your HDL levels by 5-7% for every 500mg drop in dosage.

Hang in there, hopefully big Pharm will come up with a new drug to increase HDL.. I know they are working on it as we speak, but may take a few more years.