A new study on asthma medication Singulair has raised concerns about its potential mental health side effects, USA Today reported Nov. 24.
The study, presented by the FDA at the American College of Toxicology meeting in Austin, Texas, found that the drug binds to multiple brain receptors linked to mood, cognition, sleep and impulse control. While the research does not confirm if this binding causes harmful side effects, experts warned it could be a significant concern.
Singulair, commonly prescribed for asthma and allergy symptoms, has been linked to severe neuropsychiatric issues, including anxiety, depression, hallucinations, irritability and suicidal thoughts, USA Today reported.
In 2020, the FDA added a boxed warning to the drug, highlighting the risk of severe mental health side effects. Since its introduction in 1998, Singulair has been associated with dozens of suicides and other psychiatric disorders, with reports of adverse effects continuing into recent years.
Despite the new findings, the FDA said it will not immediately update the drug's label. The agency also emphasized that more research is needed to fully understand the extent of the drug's impact on the brain, according to the report.