Merck drug, suicide linked?

Is there a possible link between the Merck allergy and asthma drug Singulair and suicidal tendencies? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking into the possibility by "reviewing a handful of reports involving mood changes, suicidal behavior and suicide in patients," according to an Associated Press article. Merck officials, though, said that the FDA's findings were based on reports and not clinical trials, and added that none of the 11,000 patients who took place in 40 Singulair trials has committed suicide. Said George Philip, Merck's director of research and product development, "We have no indication that anything about the mechanism of Singulair is consistent with these events. But because suicide is a life-threatening event we thought it was important to provide this information in the product label."

To learn more:
- read the AP's article

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