Special Guest: Drug Safety Advocate Laura Marotta "Inside the Black Box"

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💊Drug Safety Advocate Laura Marottahas been researching the neuropsychiatric adverse events induced by the commonly prescribed asthma/allergy medication, Singulair (montelukast). Her son’s intense onset of unimaginable psychiatric symptoms after discontinuation of treatment(montelukast withdrawal syndrome) led her to advocate for drug labeling changes, further research, and awareness about this airway drug’s direct action on the brain.

🎙️ Laura discusses, how her son and family were impacted by associated side effects with Singulair/Montelukast.  Be prepared to get emotional as Laura courageously shares the story of her son's hallucinations, depression & other symptoms associated with the medication Montelukast / Singulair.  Side effects are not limited to the patient.  Her story shows how the side effects of medication can lead to a traumatic experience for the entire family.  

🎧Listen to how Laura was able to reach out and find fellow parents experiencing the same side effects with their children.   We further discuss the upside to social media and the collective support groups that it can create like, the Montelukast (Singulair) Side Effects Support and Discussion Group where Laura found others in the same situation.  Learn how her actions and that of the rest of her group were able to obtain a Blackbox warning on Montelukast.  A huge step in educating patients on the potential life-altering side effects. 

See you in class! 

🌐Nicholas' Story  

🌐Montelukast: Beyond the Black Box | RxISK  

🌐Ronkonkoma family successful in lobbying FDA to include a warning on asthma medication: 

🌐Montelukast (Singulair) Side Effects Support and Discussion Group 

A valuable life lesson - (1:02:07 - 1:02:58)

Lab rats - (00:24:30 - 00:25:10)

Backstory (00:03:40 - 00:04:30)