Warning of ‘suicide risk’ from commonly prescribed drug – and kids may be more at risk
AN asthma drug prescribed to kids can cause suicidal thoughts, hallucinations and other psychiatric conditions, regulators say.
US government-backed research found that montelukast binds to brain cells controlling mood, decision-making, and attention.
The fresh research was sparked by thousands of heartbreaking stories from families of children on montelukast.
This included Harrison Sellick, from Melbourne, Australia, who tried to take his own life at just five years old.
Another was Harry Miller from London, England, who was 14 when he died by suicide in 2018 after taking the asthma drug.
Montelukast - also known as Singulair - was prescribed more than four million times in the UK in 2022, according to NHS figures.
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The montelukast UK action group estimates at least 35,000 of these were children.
In the US, around 12 million people in the US take montelukast, with 1.6 million of them being kids under 18.
The 25-year-old medication is used to treat asthma symptoms and is regularly given to children as young as six months old.
There have been 82 suicides linked to montelukast since 1998 in the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports.
The drug has also been tied to depression, anxiety, nightmares, agitation, and even full-blown psychosis.
It’s unclear how many suicides in the UK are linked to montelukast.
While the findings back to earlier concerns, the research doesn’t suggest montelukast should be banned.
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The FDA stressed the studies are ongoing, and conclusions aren’t final.
Still, their investigation isn't the first time scientists have raised concerns about the drugs.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123