hi, im not sure what to do. my 3 1/2 year old daughter was today ...

Hi ,
This drug as well as any has side effects, but this one can be life altering.How asthmatic is this child ? The risk to benefit ratio is questionable in regards to this drug in pediatric use.It has been overprescribed and not fully understood.Sneaky and subtle side effects are dangerous!This drug needs further research, dont let your child be a Merck Pharmacueticals Lab Rat.The efficiency of this drug is really in question here for pediatric usage.Use your judgement but remember, these parents have nothing to gain by letting you know their story,you have everything to gain by listening.

You don't say why the doctor prescribed Singulair. We know from Merck's research that Singulair does not prevent an acute asthma attack and would not be used to treat an acute asthma attack. It's original purpose was to decrease inflammation in the airways due to what happens when there is an over abundance of immune cells (white blood cell such as eosinophils). Immune cells secret substances designed to kill infections but in the process of that- the secretions are very inflammatory and damage delicate airway tissue. If for example, someone had asthma caused by molds that had gotten deep into the lungs, then Singulair would be designed to help the body clean that up.

Unknown to most people, Singulair's chemical structure is a quinoline. That structure is very similar to many of the more harsh antibiotics meaning anti-parasite, anti-bacterial, anti-fungals. We know here that the efficacy of Singulair has a genetic component. And, there are some very profound side effects that happen in SOME people because of genetic or other reasons related to very individual factors such as unique physiology of that particular person.

There is no reason for anyone to take Singulair at all unless the symptoms are caused by the right category of illness first of all. That category would be over - abundance of immune cells in the airways. Because Singulair has side effects similar to the quinolone antibiotics, then the patients should be very carefully monitored and removed from Singulair as soon as the situation would permit. All of the side effects that you see people describing here are in government reports from the European countries.

If the FDA was not a revolving door of medical and pharmaceutical professionals that go round and round from the drug companies to the FDA, then Americans would have a complete and accurate list of potential side effects of this drug.

I worked for a pharma company once and lived right outside the beltway.

THERE I FINALLY SAID IT.

What I would like to remind you is that your pediatrician works for you and if you voice a concern, they should take it seriously. If they don’t, then my advice would be to look for another pediatrician - children should not be given a drug with so many questionable side effects in the first place. As a Doctor, if they are aware of the seriousness of the side effects that are being reported and that the FDA is reviewing the use of this drug in children, wouldn’t you think they would think twice about prescribing it? As a parent, if you feel uncomfortable about your child using this drug, that should be reason enough not to give it. We tend not to listen to our gut instincts and believe everything the Doctor says. We all need to listen to our instincts more often. We have then for a reason! Remember that this drugs long term effect on children has never fully been tested. Merck only cares about the bottom line Profits - they do not care about your child or any of the possible consequences that children may suffer from taking this drug. I urge you to please, think twice about using this drug – my grandson is one of the children suffering from it’s side effects.

What I would like to remind you is that your pediatrician works for you and if you voice a concern, they should take it seriously. If they don’t, then my advice would be to look for another pediatrician - children should not be given a drug with so many questionable side effects in the first place. As a Doctor, if they are aware of the seriousness of the side effects that are being reported and that the FDA is reviewing the use of this drug in children, wouldn’t you think they would think twice about prescribing it? As a parent, if you feel uncomfortable about your child using this drug, that should be reason enough not to give it. We tend not to listen to our gut instincts and believe everything the Doctor says. We all need to listen to our instincts more often. We have then for a reason! Remember that this drugs long term effect on children has never fully been tested. Merck only cares about the bottom line Profits - they do not care about your child or any of the possible consequences that children may suffer from taking this drug. I urge you to please, think twice about using this drug – my grandson is one of the children suffering from it’s side effects.

in my opinion this drug is poisen and eventually all will know that,it is responsible for torture of children.It may take th FDA 9 mnths to investigate but as mothers it took us 9 days

I would also urge you to reconsider giving this drug to your child. My daughter had mood changes. She is 15 and can articulate better than a younger child. Now that she is off the drug, she told her pediatrician that if it wasn't for her Dad and I watching over her-she probably would have tried to kill herself. She went from an outgoing athletic talkative 15 yr old to a withdrawn depressed no hope child. I discussed this with our pediatrician and told her how can they evaluate small children. How will they know if it is the normal development of the terrible two's or is it the drug? How many other diagnoses will a child have-OCD, ADHD, etc. I would never have considered giving this to my daughter had I known the risks.

Please just read all these comments and understand we have all been through this horrible roller coaster. It is an awful drug which has done permanent damage to our innocent children. I would not advise this medicine on my worst enemy!!! There has to be other alternatives to singulair, what did asthmatics do pre-singulair? Find out and be very truthful to your doctor. Print off the side effect of singulair (mayoclinic.com has them) and print off a couple of these postings of similar experiences. Your Doctor should listen, or you might think about changing Doctors. You are the parent of this little person, don't let anyone persuade your judgment when it comes to singulair! Good luck!

I wouldn't give Signulair to my DOG...It is a dangerous drug, and it seems like it is being prescribed to children quite often, and they seem to be the most effected by it. Please, it is not worth risking the terrible side effects that are commonly listed on this website. I was in the hospital for 3 days myself because of this drug. It is NOT worth taking a chance..read the posting from the lady who's son commited suicide. This drug is pure poison! There HAS to be a safer way to find relief.

Read this site and decide if you want your child to suffer the way ours have. I would tell your doc you refuse to use this med until they have proven it to be safe. Merck and the other pharmco's woo docs with all sorts of incentives and literally brainwash them. My son took it for 5 years from age 3 to 8. He first made a suicide threat at age 4. You will see side effects with this drug-there are plenty of alternatives so just be pushy! Ask for a drug that has been on the market for a while. That is what I will do FOR my children for now on. Good luck.

My oldest son suffered from mood swings, nightmares, and cutting while on singulair, I didn't even suspect it (Singulair) at the time. He has been off singular for 2 years and has not suffered from these since. I think the maker and FDA need to study this in more detail. After reading these accounts, I wouldn't risk giving this to anyone.

DO NOT GIVE IT TO HER! take the prescription from the doctor say Thank you and throw it in the trash on your way out the door. Then find another pediatrician!

I am in shock, and beating myself up for giving my 4 yo son Singulair for the past four months. Why didn't my pediatrician share this info with me? My son started taking the medication in April and all summer I have been battling defiance, opposition to every request, hitting and recently he has started destroying his room when angry. I bought two new books, a reward system chart...anything to help manage from day to day. Until last night I decided to research Singulair...Voila!How can they be perscribing this drug so frequently. My son was always pretty easy going, had his moments, but nothing like this. This past week he spent so much of the day crying, calling me names and growling in anger...I had called the pediatrician and all they said was to document the behavior and call them in a week, I couldn't make it through the week, I just took him off. I am kicking myself for not researching this sooner....UGH!