3 months of Singulair prescription after a BA, is this necessary?

Question

I was prescribed 3 months of singulair & to start it immediately post-op. Why is this and is it necessary? Are there risks of taking it? I do not have asthma.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Singulair and Accolate are asthma drugs that are used "off-label" to potentially decrease the risk of capsular contracture. However, there are no true studies that support this. Only personal accounts that suggest it may help. The prescription indicates that your physician believes you are at risk for capsular contracture and/or is trying to prevent it. The risks of taking it are low but not zero.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Hi there, Thank you for your question. Singulair is generally used to help relax the pectoral muscles in early stages of capsular contrature. Speak with your surgeon to find out more about why you are taking this medication. Best, realdrsix

Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD · Answer

There is no objective data in humans that Singulair helps prevent capsular contracture.  In animals studies, it's cousin Accolate has shown a decrease in scar tissue internally.  However, Accolate is very hard on the liver so we use Singulair instead to see if it can help prevent scar tissue.  In reality, a good surgeon's contracture rates should be less than 1% regardless so adding this is more of a hopeful preventative.  I hope this helps.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Hello DreamingofBA..Thanks for this question. Many surgeons are prescribing Singulair after breast implants to reduce the risks of developing capsule contracture later in life. There is some scientific support for this approach, but it is not an FDA approved indication. I suggest you have a discussion with your plastic surgeon about these concerns. Best wishes, Dr. ALDO :)

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

The recommendation to use Singulair to prevent capsular contracture has  not supported by clear medical evidence and as such has been prescribed "off label" meaning the efficacy for the prescribed use has not been established by the FDA. It  is best to consider all medications as having certain contraindications and potential side effects. You can explore these on your own, or ask your surgeon to explain them to you.

Stefan Rene Adair, MD · Answer

Singulair has been shown to have limited utility in preventing capsular contracture, but if you are a primary case this may not be necessary. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Best of luck.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS · Answer

Singulair has been shown to reduce the risk of capsular contracture after breast augmentation. Your surgeon can discuss the details.

Beth Collins, MD · Answer

Singulair has some effect in preventing recurrence of capsular contracture in patients who have had one and had it corrected. It is likely that your surgeon has put you on this as a precaution to prevent a capsular contracture. There is not great evidence that in the primary augment this will help. I do not routinely prescribe this medication to my primary augment patients. I do prescribe it to patients in whom I fear this will be a complication. Could it be that your surgeon had some trouble in the OR that made them believe that you were at a higher risk (for example bleeding during the procedure)? Only your surgeon knows the answers to these questions, so a frank discussion with them is in order. I would say that it is a relatively harmless medication and if you are not having side effects and your surgeon has a good reason to have you on the medication, it may help you avoid problems down the road.

Robert Whitfield, MD · Answer

With our patients we actually don't prescribe any additional medicines.  We think the most important key to avoiding capsular contracture is a technically sound operation.

Tassos Dionisopoulos, MD · Answer

there is no proof that this medication works for capsular contracture. it is being used in an  'off-label" manner . if it did decrease capsular contracture then it would be marketed as such and approved, making it an on label use. the less medication one takes the healthier we are.

3 months of Singulair prescription after a BA, is this necessary?

Answers (12)

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