Singular for an 18 month old?

[adgal]

I took Ryder to the Pediatrician today to have him checked for mild weight loss and a non stop runny nose.  She believes he has allergies.  He is seeing an allergist on the 22nd, but in the meantime she prescribed him singular (here in Canada it is by prescription only).  She thinks the allergies are causing the constant runny nose, and that is what is making it harder for him to eat, thus the weight loss.  Makes sense..we have suspected mild allergies for a while now.  Also, he sort of wheezes at times, although it's when he is excited or upset, so hard to tell if it's allergy related or just a noise he likes to make. When she checked his chest, it was clear.  No color change or anything extreme like that.  My question is, has anyone else had their 18 month old on singular?  Any challenges with it?  The pharmacist seemed a bit surprised and actually has to order it in (he is going to be on the granular type, you mix it with water, juice or milk), and said he doesn't often have it prescribed in children this young.  This of course concerned me a bit.  I read up on it and the possible side effects, but found nothing alarming.  Anyone else?

[margypops]

I am glad to hear that ..I do not like the medications dished out willy nilly here in he US  especially to children for  ADHD, ADD and the many labels 'would be experts' add on to the task of what in my humble opinion is simply bringing up a child . ,but when something works you go with it.I believe in the old fashioned way of nurturing,and caring,I was very lucky my mom would just go with the flow ,there were no reasons that  I was over  active, that was me if I felt sad that was okay it would pass.From what I have read about your boy and his up bringing you are doing a good job .I like what you have to say .

[adgal]

An update in case anyone else ever finds themselves with a similar situation.  At around the same time he was prescribed the singular, he developed diarea, etc.  It would seem it was another virus.  The pharmacist advised us to not start the singular (unless he was asthmatic, which he wasn't) as direa can be a side effect, and it's important to know if that is what is causing it.  It finally ran it's course the day prior to my son's allergy tests.  We decided to wait and see what kind of results those showed.  It turned out he only has very mild allergies to dust and dust mites.  The allergist (who is a pediatric allergist) advised us not to put him on this medication as it really wasn't necessary for such a mild reaction.  He still has the runny nose, but the Dr. feels this will clear up as the seasons change, and that these types of allergies are typically outgrown.  I'm glad we sought the second opinion.  I am not against medication at all, but like anything, don't want him to take something that isn't necessary.  We are just treating the nighttime congestion with nasal drops (saline) and continue to watch for any signs of asthma.  So far nothing.

[adgal]

Thanks. I'm going to go check out that site.  Appreciate it!

[margypops]

We also have a pharmacist forum on Med help they may give some input regarding reports of side effects

[margypops]

I don't have any professional information for you adgal other than what I repeated on the other forum ...they are side effects regarding this med here in the US..here is a link and there are many others if you google     pediatrics .about.com/b/...singulair -side-effects-hype-or-hazard.htm   hope I got that right am having troble with the text today