* Singulair * Doc just prescribed for my son ...Any experience with it?

[masmdu]

(MODS: Not asking for medical advice just curious as to others experiences. Please don't close this topic)

Doctor just prescribed Singulair for my 4 year old son to keep allergens at bay and thereby lessen the chance of a recurring lower respirator infection.

I never have liked the idea of medications that require weeks of dosage.

In this case the Doc suggest 6-8 weeks of daily Singulair.

I would appreciate hearing pros/ cons of your experiences with Singulair.

Thanks much!
M

[TwilightZone]

1. I've been taking Singulair for years

I've been on at least half a dozen allergy meds, and it's been the most effective one to date. I also have allergy-induced asthma, and it's done a nice job with that, as well.

I haven't had many side effects, aside from the occasional bout of tiredness.

Your son's experience may vary! :)

[Whoa_Nelly]

2. Have you googled the side effects of it on children?

Many drugs that work well for adults, don't work the same for children.

Is this an Rx that formulated specifically for kids? Or, is it just a reduced dosage of the adult drug?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&as_qdr=all&q=singulair+side+effects+children&btnG=Search

[northzax]

3. aren't they the New AT&T now?

sorry.

[zabet]

4. My daughter takes it but,

she is 20. She has had no side effects and it works really well
for her sinus allergies. I have no idea what the potential for
side-effects for a small child may be. :shrug:

[Warpy]

5. It's one of the safer medications

and one of the few that can be given to infants, as well as 4 year olds.

A good patient guide is here: http://www.drugs.com/singulair.html There are also some suggestions on how to get it into an unwilling kid.

I had horrible allergies when I was kid and all that was available was Benadryl. I spent 6 months of the year too sleepy to move. I wish this drug had been available then.

[TwilightZone]

6. My seven-year-old nephew is also on it.

He's been on it for a couple of years to treat his severe allergies and asthma. As far as I know, he's tolerated it well.

[Lerkfish]

7. am an adult, but I take it everyday with no discernible side effects.

I have severe allergies and used to get frequent sinus infections. Haven't had one since I was put on it about 6 months ago.

FWIW.

[breakaleg]

8. My son was on it at age 4. It didn't work for him and I took him off it after about 2 years.

But there were no issues with it. It's one of the few drugs that has been tested and is safe for kids as young as 2 (I believe that number is correct).

[Momgonepostal]

9. My daughter was on it and it helped immensely

It was prescribed by a regular doctor, but even our allergist said he liked the medication because there were few side effects, unlike with many steroids.

She had problems with asthma, and the singulair seems to prevent her from needing the stronger medications.

[AlCzervik]

10. my now 10 year old niece was one of the one and 100,000? that had problems with

it, she had small seizures so they took her off and put her on something else.

[cannabis_flower]

11. Best allergy/asthma medicine I've ever taken..

I used to take take Claritin and Advair which was a combination inhaled bronchial dilator/steroid. I have very bad allergies to pollen, dust and mold and I had asthma. I switched to Singulair and nothing else about a year ago and my allergies and asthma have been better controlled than they ever have been before. I cannot remember the last time I have had to use my Ventilyn inhaler and can now stand directly next to Ligustrum bush (big waxy leaved tree with huge white fragrant flowers) without sneezing for over half and hour. I used to sneeze immediately and repeatedly if I was anywhere near one of them.

As far as I can tell there have been no side effects. If there is any history of diabetes in your family steroids are best to be avoided if at all possible. This is a medicine that can be taken long term and doesn't seem to have any serious side effects that I am aware of. Of course, I am not a doctor but this is just my experience. I was sick all the time and had bronchitis 4-6 times a year for several years. I have lost over 60 lbs and have not had bronchitis since April. Of course, Singulair is probably not the sole reason for this. I had other medicine changes around the same time so that could be part of the reason.

[qanda]

12. I tried to take it but it gave me terrible heartburn

And when my husband was on it, he suffered from neck pain which stopped after he stopped taking Singulair. I would keep a journal of any and all complaints or symptoms after starting any new medication.

This is the best site I've found for finding out about side-effects: http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20829&name=SINGULAIR

[ezgoingrl]

13. My son has severe allergies.

Singulair has helped him more than anything else we've tried. It keeps his allergies and asthma under control.

[Nye Bevan]

14. It's an excellent medicine

One chewable pill per day with no side effects at all.

My daughter has pretty much never wheezed since she started it.