
Taiwan restricts use of montelukast in COPD patients due to drug induced mental health impacts
Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has imposed restrictions over the use of montelukast, a new generation drug used to treat asthma attacks, ruling that it should be administered only after the failure of other drugs. The agency cited worsening mental health of patients, such as behavior changes, unusual movements, or having suicidal thoughts. According to Hung Kuo-teng, head of the FDA’s Medicinal Products Division, the clinical effectiveness of the drug does not overrule the side effects that it causes to the patients. He also added that the companies should try to change the contents of the drugs before 31 July 2022, to comply with the ruling.