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🚨 Montelukast: Neuropsychiatric Risk Reminder for clinical pharmacists

Writer's picture: Mohammed A RashadMohammed A Rashad

🏥 Healthcare Professionals:

  • Be vigilant for neuropsychiatric symptoms in all patients (children, adolescents, adults) using montelukast.

  • Discontinue montelukast if neuropsychiatric symptoms worsen or new symptoms appear.

  • Strengthened warnings in patient materials, highlighted with a black box for emphasis.

  • Report all suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card scheme.


🧠 Reported Neuropsychiatric Symptoms:

  • Sleep disorders, hallucinations, anxiety, depression.

  • Behavioral and mood changes.


🌐 Advice for Patients and Caregivers:

  • Be aware of potential psychiatric side effects.

  • Immediately seek medical advice if neuropsychiatric symptoms occur.

  • Inform friends and family about your montelukast use; they can help notice changes.


📚 Updated Patient Information:

  • Patient Information Leaflet now includes detailed warnings about psychiatric side effects.


📉 Incidence of Reactions:

  • Sleep disturbances, depression, agitation: up to 1 in 100.

  • Attention/memory disturbances: up to 1 in 1,000.

  • Rare cases of hallucinations and suicidal thoughts: up to 1 in 10,000.


🛑 Important Updates:

  • Since 1998, over 44 million prescriptions in the UK, with significant reports of neuropsychiatric reactions.

  • Neuropsychiatric warning included in product literature since 2008, with updates in 2019.

  • Continued reporting to Yellow Card scheme is crucial to monitor these risks.


📅 Published by MHRA on 29 April 2024


References:






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