The asthma medication montelukast has been found to induce nightmares, aggression, depression, and headaches among children.
Experts aren't ready to scrap the drug
In spite of these risks, experts aren't ready to scrap the drug. The study's lead author, Dr. Meindina Haarman says, "In our study, we give prescribing physicians the advice to be alert for signs and symptoms for allergic granulomatous angiitis [a rare complication associated with the drug] and for severe neuropsychiatric symptoms."
"The doctor still decides whether or not to treat the patients with montelukast," she adds.
Dr. Matthew Lorber adds, "Ultimately, asthma can be a life-threatening condition in children and cannot be ignored, so I do recommend to parents that their children continue with these lifesaving medications.
"It is just very important to monitor for these risks, and it is vital that doctors warn parents about these risks before their children start these medications so they know what to be on the lookout for."
Parents should also be aware of the risks
Commonly known under the name Singulair, the drug is available as a pill or as granules which are to be taken once daily. Since 2009, the USFDA has required that all drugs with montelukast contain warnings that the drug can have side effects such as nightmares, aggression, depression, and headaches.
Source: erj.ersjournals.com, health.usnews.com
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