New TGA warning on suicide and depression risk with asthma drug

The TGA added revised warnings about neuropsychiatric symptoms to all montelukast products this month.
Dr Kerry Hancock.
Dr Kerry Hancock.

New boxed warnings on montelukast advise doctors to stop treatment if patients develop depression, suicidality or other neuropsychiatric symptoms.

The TGA slapped warnings on the leukotriene receptor agonist — commonly used to treat children with chronic asthma and to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis — about potential neuropsychiatric side effects on 9 January.