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How about the other side, where the FDA allows things like Singulair/Montelukast to remain in the market despite plenty of evidence of widespread harm?

It's a destructive drug, and anyone given it without a medical background (and some with one!) would never guess the degree of side-effects it offers, because of the innocuous feelings toward the class of drug that it is.



And don't forget thalidomide!

It was initially marketed for anxiety, sleeplessness, and morning sickness over in Europe. This led to a massive amount of birth defects and newborn fatalities. Luckily the FDA did not approve it.

The FDA reviewer was early in her career and was essentially given thalidomide to look over as an "easy start", but luckily she had an interest in fetal development and refused to approve it until fetal interactions were shown to be safe. It resulted in a huge battle with the manufacturer which was only resolved by it being linked to birth defects in the rest of the world - after which they withdrew their application.


I actually just stopped my daily montelukast pill a few months ago. No side effects, I just hated having to take a daily. I was told - years ago - that it was practically benign. What am I missing?


The FDA issued a black box warning for increased reports of suicidal thoughts in 2020:

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-r...


Thanks for this. I had no idea! I definitely did not have any suicidal thoughts while on it, but it sounds like I was a lucky one.


At least one doctor's got the clue! Thanks.


> I was told - years ago - that it was practically benign.

Cheers for proving the point, and I'm glad you didn't struggle getting off it it, like some.




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