Singulair's label updated with growth data

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Merck said Tuesday it has updated asthma drug Singulair's label to show kids on the drug have normal growth rates.

Merck said in a statement that the new labeling will reflect the results of a 56-week study of Singulair showing that children with asthma from age 6 to 8 years taking the Singulair 5 mg tablets once per day had similar growth rates as children getting placebo.

Merck's study counters other scientific data suggesting that long-term use of inhaled steroids might slow a child's growth.

Merck's study further revealed that children taking the inhaled steroid beclomethasone dipropionate 168 mcg twice daily had slower growth rates than children on either Singulair or placebo.

"The new label language provides physicians and patients with important new information on Singulair that should prove helpful in furthering their understanding of the medicines used in the treatment of asthma," said Theodore F. Reiss, Merck's vice president of clinical research.