Indiana Injury And Family Lawyer BlogSingular Linked to Behavioral Issues in Children
Hostility, irritability and aggressive behavior are the serious side effects that are still being reported by parents whose children take Singular. This comes as no surprise to the U.S Food and Drug Administration because in March of 2008 the agency reexamined the safety of Singular and required new labeling to disclose the risks associated with the drug for adults and children, including:
- Anxiousness
- Depression
- Bothersome dreams
- Hallucinations
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Suicidal behavior and suicide
- Tremors
- Other neuropsychiatric events
The drug has not been recalled to date. Furthermore, people may not be aware of the risk associated with Singular unless they read the package insert that accompanies the drug when purchased. Knowing that Singular is still Merck’s number one selling drug, with sales at $4.6 billion in 2009, it seems that there could be a good percentage of people who are unaware of the risks associated with the drug.
It does appear that the neuropsychiatric events will cease to occur following discontinuance of the drug. This shows that Singular has the ability to produce unhealthy and life threatening drug induced side effects. In fact, some children have been misdiagnosed with psychiatric disorders, including ADHD and Tourettes Syndrome. These side effects are a high price to pay when compared the many other types of asthma medications on the market, widely available, that are not linked to serious risks for a high number of people.
This example is another reason why people who are prescribed drugs should ask their doctor about risks and alternatives in treatment. They should also ask the pharmacist about risks and alternatives in treatment.
Burton Padove, Indiana and Illinois lawyer, is available to help those who are injured because of defective products. He can be reached at (877) 446 5294.