Suicidality and montelukast.
BACKGROUND
Suicide is a serious public health problem. Prevention of suicide depends to a great degree on identification and mitigation of its risk factors. Allergy has been associated with mood and anxiety disorders, risk factors for suicidality. Antiallergic medication could modulate or mediate these predictive associations. Recently, the FDA issued a warning raising concerns about the suicidality potential of montelukast and other leukotriene (LT) antagonists.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review is to integrate the emerging interpretations of the link between suicidality, suicide risk factors, allergy and treatment of allergy in particular, with LT antagonists.


METHODS
We reviewed the available reports on the possible relationships between montelukast, allergy, suicide, suicidality and suicide risk factors. We also present the positions of the FDA, manufacturer, and national organizations of allergists and immunologists on the possible role of montelukast in suicidality.


CONCLUSIONS
At present, there is insufficient data to prove that there is a link between montelukast and suicidality. Inquiring about mood changes and suicidal ideation should be integrated in general medical practice.
Manalai
Partam
P
Mood and Anxiety Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 685 West Baltimore Street, MSTF Building Room 930, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Woo
Jong-Min
JM
Postolache
Teodor T
TT
D000085:Acetates / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D011804:Quinolines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D013440:Sulfides; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
D000085:Acetates; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D011804:Quinolines; D013440:Sulfides; C093875:montelukast