M.B. asks from South Elgin, IL on June 22, 2009
New Singulair Side Effects
Has anyone noticed subtle changes in their child while taking Singulair? My 11 year old has allergies and asthma and has been on Singulair (and other meds) for a long time on and off. I notice distict changes in mood, behavior and sleeping habits while on Singulair. I brought it up to our pediatrician several years ago and he brushed it off as being perfectly safe. I even brought it up to my son's allergist more recently and she was puzzled. Said it must be something else. Imagine my surprise when I've been seeing the news articles on Singulair that it can cause these precise symtoms. I have asked a couple friends whose kids are on Singulair if they've noticed anything and no one has. Has anyone out there??
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So What Happened?™
Thank you so much to everyone for all of the insightful responses I received! I am glad I am not alone with my suspicions. After seeing other people's stories and doing more research into the drug, I am convinced that Singulair is affecting him in some way. I will bring it up the next time we go see his allergist and be armed with more info. since, apparently, none of her other patients have ever brought this up. Thanks again!
Featured Answers
T.B. answers from Chicago on June 23, 2009
Can't say that I've seen side effects that I would attribute to the medicine (but wouldn't necessarily rule these out either--we've just had too many changes to pinpoint things). I did hear a developmental optometrist mention that some allergy medications cause problems with functional vision.
K.H. answers from Chicago on June 23, 2009
Hi! This subject makes me so mad. Medications do affect people differently. Singulair causes the exact side effects you are saying for me and my son. I was very irritable, couldn't sleep, etc. I am off all antihistamines. Doctors do not seem to want to admit that medications do have harmful side effects. It is up to the patient to decide if the effects are worth it. Just because the doctor has not heard of effects from their patients do not mean that it does not exist. We suffer and are miserable with the allergies but I do prefer that to the anger and irritability from the Singulair/Allegra etc. My son's teachers also appreciate the fact that I no longer give that medication to my son.
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J.T. answers from Chicago on June 23, 2009
Yes! My son was on singular last year and after only a few days he was having a lot of trouble sleeping. My doctor said a lot of kids get a headache from it to. Best to switch to something else. There is also some websites where mom's have written about there kids reactions to it.
C.M. answers from Chicago on June 23, 2009
My 10 year old takes Singulair with no side affects. But my friend took her daughter off of it after only 2 weeks because she was a "monster" after starting it.
Even if the doctors do not agree with you, your daughter should not be on any medication that you don't like. Stop taking it, and find something else. There are other products to try. Stand up and demand another solution!
M.A. answers from Chicago on June 23, 2009
My children have not taken it, but my friend recently took her 7 year old daughter off of it because she would have bi-polar -like symptoms when she was on it. Even though she has severe asthma, my friend could not take the side-effects and has been trying other, more natural solutions.
Trust your instincts, and find something else if you are seeing changes in your child.
M.M. answers from Chicago on June 23, 2009
Hi,
My pediatrician did tell me that behavioral changes were being seen in older children who were taking singulair and
they were trying to ween kids off the meds. My child, only a toddler was taking singulair for allergies, even though he isnt at rish because he is younger, I did not want to take a chance. I took him off singulair, and I also now use neilmed saline nose type products for his allergies.
Hope this helps.
N.P. answers from Chicago on June 23, 2009
my friend had her boy on it from age 3 till age 9. Finally they made the connection you are making. It had gotten really bad - her son got paranoid and developed phobias about being in a room by himself and being in elevators, flying, etc.
They took him off the singular and within a few weeks he was not having any of those phobias anymore, and sleeping better and not having meltdowns as much at all. The boy said to his mom "I'm so glad I don't get that jittery feeling anymore. I never want to go back on that Singular. It made my skin jump."
SO, that is all the evidence I needed - my daughter went on Claritin this spring when she was diagnosed with seasonal allergies! No issues at all.
K.H. answers from Chicago on June 23, 2009
Hi! This subject makes me so mad. Medications do affect people differently. Singulair causes the exact side effects you are saying for me and my son. I was very irritable, couldn't sleep, etc. I am off all antihistamines. Doctors do not seem to want to admit that medications do have harmful side effects. It is up to the patient to decide if the effects are worth it. Just because the doctor has not heard of effects from their patients do not mean that it does not exist. We suffer and are miserable with the allergies but I do prefer that to the anger and irritability from the Singulair/Allegra etc. My son's teachers also appreciate the fact that I no longer give that medication to my son.
T.L. answers from Chicago on June 23, 2009
i recently stumbled upon a whole website devoted to people with kids who had reactions to medications especially allergy meds and mood swings. I would get her off of it and look into other way of treating her with little or no medication
M.J. answers from Chicago on June 23, 2009
my son has been taking singulair for quite a while, however, he is now 20. I think he started around 15 or 16. he has never exhibited any side effects. he takes the 10mg dose. If you are concerned about side effects, tell the doctor that you don't want your child to continue this medication. demand something else. I was also concerned when the info came out about suicidal tendencies etc. So, don't let it go on..no matter what!
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