Asthma Attacks

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Retrospective Asthma Hospitalization Study

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In a retrospective study of 673,141 emergency department (ED) visits in 11 New York City municipal hospitals from 1991 to 2000

Distinct annual patterns of asthma flare-ups were observed over a 10-year period17

Graph of Hospitalizations Due to Asthma

Reprinted with permission from Silverman RA, Stevenson L, Hastings HM. Ann Emerg Med. 2003;42:577–586.

Study method
Data from emergency department visits for asthma to the 11 New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation medical centers were obtained and retrospectively analyzed for 1991 to 2000. The population was divided into children (aged <13 years) and adults (aged 14 to 80 years). The coefficient of variation (CV) of the weekly averages was used to quantify seasonal variation and was computed for corresponding 5-year averages to smooth out fluctuations and reduce sampling variability caused by small single-year age classes at ages 60 to 80 years.17

SINGULAIR is indicated for prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma in patients aged 12 months and older and for prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in patients aged 15 years and older.

For prevention of EIB, a single dose of SINGULAIR should be taken at least 2 hours before exercise. An additional dose of SINGULAIR should not be taken within 24 hours of a previous dose.

Patients already taking 1 tablet daily for another indication should not take an additional dose to prevent EIB.

SELECTED SAFETY INFORMATION

  • SINGULAIR should not be used as rescue medication to treat acute asthma episodes. Patients should be advised to have appropriate rescue medication available.
  • Neuropsychiatric events have been reported in patients taking SINGULAIR. These events included agitation, aggressive behavior or hostility, anxiousness, depression, dream abnormalities, hallucinations, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, somnambulism, suicidal thinking and behavior (including suicide), and tremor. The clinical details of some postmarketing reports appear consistent with a drug-induced effect. Patients should be advised to report any neuropsychiatric events.
  • Use of SINGULAIR may not eliminate the need for inhaled or systemic corticosteroids. Patients should not decrease the dose or stop taking any other antiasthma medications unless instructed by a physician.
  • Safety and effectiveness of SINGULAIR in patients younger than 12 months with asthma have not been established.

Before prescribing SINGULAIR, please read the Prescribing Information.

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20951836(5)-02/10-SNG

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