2023-10-28 12:14:07
RSV Outbreak: Montelukast Drug Must be Used Only When Necessary
In a recent development, it has been revealed that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning regarding the use of the drug Montelukast. The drug, commonly used to treat RSV patients with bronchiolitis and prevent asthma symptoms in children, has been found to have potential mental health side effects.
Dr. Yong Phuworawan, the head of the Center Specialized in Clinical Virology at the Department of Pediatrics in the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University, took to his personal Facebook to share information about the RSV virus outbreak. He highlighted that this year, there has been a rise in RSV cases, particularly affecting young children under the age of 5, following the return to normal life after the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak began in June and is projected to continue until the end of the year. Notably, most of the reported cases were of the RSV A subtype ON1.
Interestingly, Montelukast, an anti-leukotriene drug, is commonly used in Thailand to treat RSV patients with bronchiolitis and as a long-term preventive measure for asthma symptoms in children. However, scientific evidence does not support the use of Montelukast in RSV patients with bronchiolitis.
Dr. Yong also shared an alarming incident related to the use of Montelukast. A concerned mother informed the doctor that her child, who was sick with RSV, was experiencing nightmares and excessive crying after taking the medicine. The child had previously exhibited similar symptoms that subsided once the medication was stopped.
Dr. Yong emphasized the importance of acknowledging the potential side effects of Montelukast, apart from the common allergic reactions such as rash, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and intestinal upset. The FDA has now included a boxed warning on the drug label, specifically mentioning the mental health symptoms associated with Montelukast, including suicidal tendencies.
He further stated that some of the mental symptoms to be cautious about when using Montelukast include agitation, aggressive behavior, lack of empathy, nightmares or vivid dreams, depression, confusion, anxiety, hallucinations, irritability, decreased memory, repetitive thinking, restlessness, sleepwalking, insomnia, and uncontrollable muscle movements. It is important to note that these symptoms may be challenging to describe, especially in young children.
Dr. Yong concluded by advising that Montelukast should only be used when absolutely necessary, and not as a routine treatment for RSV patients. It is crucial to treat the patients and not simply address the symptoms associated with RSV. Dr. Yong promised to provide further updates on the RSV outbreak in future chapters.]
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