Montelukast
Feb. 28th, 2024 12:57 pmHey, asthma sufferers? Montelukast (Singulair) has an understated problem.
This came to my attention from a friend who suffered it, and it turns out (anecdotally) to be far more common and widespread than the medical community admits. Montelukast is causing chronic pain and mood problems.
This wasn't on the label originally. While it would have been nice for the initial studies to catch it (but that would have involved doctors listening to women, so good luck), what should have happened later is that the FDA collects enough evidence to make them put a warning on the box; then doctors notice and educate themselves, and are cautious to prescribe it, and they carefully watch for side effects in case the patient needs to discontinue the medication.
What actually happens, in general, is that even good doctors have no leeway to be so watchful. Insurance companies and hospitals have them rushing patients through, back to back, just to stay afloat (or to drown in debt a bit less quickly).
What actually happened, in particular, is that the warning was added to montelukast boxes in March of 2020: When all the doctors had something else on their minds and their schedules. Even the most privileged and attentive doctor would have missed that.
Please beware the effects of this drug.
This came to my attention from a friend who suffered it, and it turns out (anecdotally) to be far more common and widespread than the medical community admits. Montelukast is causing chronic pain and mood problems.
This wasn't on the label originally. While it would have been nice for the initial studies to catch it (but that would have involved doctors listening to women, so good luck), what should have happened later is that the FDA collects enough evidence to make them put a warning on the box; then doctors notice and educate themselves, and are cautious to prescribe it, and they carefully watch for side effects in case the patient needs to discontinue the medication.
What actually happens, in general, is that even good doctors have no leeway to be so watchful. Insurance companies and hospitals have them rushing patients through, back to back, just to stay afloat (or to drown in debt a bit less quickly).
What actually happened, in particular, is that the warning was added to montelukast boxes in March of 2020: When all the doctors had something else on their minds and their schedules. Even the most privileged and attentive doctor would have missed that.
Please beware the effects of this drug.