Singulair Side Effects In Toddlers

Singulair is a commonly prescribed medication used to treat asthma and allergies. It is approved for use in children 12 months or older and is generally well tolerated. Nevertheless, some children experience side effects when taking Singulair. While most side effects are mild and subside with time, a child may rarely experience severe side effects, requiring a switch to a new medication or even emergency medical attention.

Singulair is usually well tolerated in toddlers but occasionally causes some side effects.

Common Side Effects of Singulair Oral Granules

Younger toddlers may be prescribed Singulair Oral Granules because they mix easily into baby food, soft table foods, and beverages. Common side effects of this medication include coughing, dizziness, stomach pains or indigestion, nausea, drowsiness or sleeplessness, headache, fever, upper respiratory infections, and nasal congestion. These side effects are usually tolerable and generally go away on their own after the child has taken the medication for a few weeks.

Severe Side Effects of Singulair Oral Granules

Rarely, a child may experience more severe side effects while taking Singulair Oral Granules. Such side effects include allergic reactions such as hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing; mental disturbances such as hallucinations or nightmares; agitation and irritability; excessive bleeding or bruising; heart palpitations; seizures; severe stomach cramps; nausea and vomiting; yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes; dark-colored urine; and hepatitis.

Common Side Effects of Singulair Chewable Tablets

Older toddlers may be prescribed Singulair Chewable Tablets in the 4mg dosage, which is approved for children ages 2 to 5. Common side effects of this medication are similar to those of the Oral Granules and include coughing and upper respiratory infections, dizziness, upset stomach and nausea, restlessness, drowsiness, stuffy nose, headache, and fever. Most children are not bothered by these side effects enough to stop taking the medication and the effects usually subside after the child has been on the medication for several weeks.

Severe Side Effects of Singulair Chewable Tablets

Occasionally, a toddler may experience more serious side effects while taking Singulair Chewable Tablets. These side effects include aggression, hallucinations, thoughts of suicide (extremely rare in young children), increased bleeding or bruising, an increase in asthma symptoms, irregular heartbeat, darkened urine, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, numbness, flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, vomiting, severe stomach cramps, and allergic reactions such as a rash, tightening of the chest, and difficulty breathing.

When to Call the Doctor

If your child has mild symptoms that persist beyond the first month on the medicine or if the symptoms are causing your child excessive discomfort, make a point to call your pediatrician as soon as possible. If your child experiences serious but non-life-threatening side effects, call your doctor right away. If, however, your toddler has a severe reaction such as difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, or hallucinations, seek emergency medical care immediately. No matter how mild or severe the side effects are, always call the pediatrician if you have any concern about your child's health or well-being.

Tags: side effects, Oral Granules, Chewable Tablets, Effects Singulair, Side Effects Singulair, Singulair Chewable