Alternatives to Montelukast - Asthma Community ...

Asthma Community Forum

22,418 members24,822 posts

Alternatives to Montelukast

Jaid123 profile image
17 Replies

Can anyone provide suggestions as to what other asthma medicine I could ask my Dr fir instead of Montelukast? I took this for 28 days and it was awful... Terrible anxiety so I stopped. I have seasonal allergic asthma and take antihistamine plus on blue and brown inhaler. My breathing was very much improved on the Montelukast but the side effects were terrible. Appreciate any advice 💗👍

Written by
Jaid123 profile image
Jaid123
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
17 Replies
EmmaF91 profile image
EmmaF91Community Ambassador

Depending what your brown inhaler is you may benefit from a stronger preventer inhaler. A lot of the ‘brown’ inhalers are only steroids (tho some are combination inhalers). Just an idea to ask about

Hope this helps

Jaid123 profile image
Jaid123 in reply toEmmaF91

Hi Emma, many thanks for replying. The brown inhaler is Qvar 100. Don't know how strong this one is?

EmmaF91 profile image
EmmaF91Community Ambassador in reply toJaid123

That’s one of the weaker inhaler options and solely a steroid inhaler. I suggest asking about trying a combination inhaler, maybe something with the same beclomethasone steroid base.

The only think to ask about is seeing if the GP is willing to try singulair. This is the branded version of montelukast but people frequently report different side effects so it may be the side effects are less for you (this of course is if you want to try it and if the GP agrees to try it).

Jaid123 profile image
Jaid123 in reply toEmmaF91

Thanks very much for your reply. I think I'd be too scared to try singulair in case it had same effects as montelukast... I had a month from hell on it. I will ask about combination inhaler. Thank you 💗👍

in reply toJaid123

I also had terrible side effects as you describe on singulair.

Jaid123 profile image
Jaid123 in reply to

There is a face book group about this drug - it's very odd as there seems differences in how folk are reacting to it. The FDA have put a black box warning on it now though due to adverse reactions that some people have to it. 😢

PaulRosedene profile image
PaulRosedene

I phoned the asthma uk nurses with exactly this question. I have also been getting side effects from Montelukast. I won't repeat their response here, because their advice may have been unique to me. I am highly atopic with rhinitis. I would recommend giving them a call.

Jaid123 profile image
Jaid123 in reply toPaulRosedene

Many thanks - I will give them a call 👍

Pugdog profile image
Pugdog

HiI didn’t want to start Montelukast and they offered me an alternative inhaler as an add on (alongside my Flutiform everyday) called Spiriva respimat. It’s been amazing, maybe worth a discussion with your gp.

Jaid123 profile image
Jaid123 in reply toPugdog

Many thanks - I will investigate this further with my GP 👍

amberbrown profile image
amberbrown in reply toPugdog

spiriva is good

Monkeybuns profile image
Monkeybuns

I had the same issues with montelukast. I was on clenil (brown inhaler) and have switched to fostair (combination inhaler, same base) and I had a few teething troubles the first weeks, but I am doing really great on fostair now!

Jaid123 profile image
Jaid123 in reply toMonkeybuns

Many thanks - I will investigate this further with GP. 👍

Dogruff profile image
Dogruff

To reassure you, I had singular a couple of years ago and had a horrendous time on it with severe nightmares and anxiety. I was started on Montelukust last summer and no issues at all! My mood did dip but that was tied in with stress at work.

Jaid123 profile image
Jaid123 in reply toDogruff

Many thanks for your reply. Maybe your body has now adapted to it?? I am too scared to try it again as it really was a horrendous time for me. Hope you are well and keep safe. xx

Dogruff profile image
Dogruff in reply toJaid123

I couldn’t stay on it the first time I went on it. Don’t think I lasted even a full week. That’s why I was surprised I’ve had no issues this time round! Keeping as safe as I can. Same with you x

amberbrown profile image
amberbrown

hi, hope you are feeling better now, had the same problem as you - singulair helped with asthma, breathing, energy, but it gave me a lot of pain in my shoulders and arms which was so painful I had to stop using it - have tried just about all of the inhalers and keep being told to change this one for that one - yet again - just going over and over the same changes, which is pointless and wasting time

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Montelukast

Hello everybody, I cannot take steroids as according to my gp I might have allergy on them.(told...
Beruska3 profile image

Stopping Montelukast

In June 2020 i was given a diagnosis of Severe/ Brittle Asthma and was put on Montelukast,...
Lilmix03 profile image

Montelukast

I was at the respiratory clinic for my asthma this morning. The doctor prescribed me Montelukast....

Offered montelukast

Hi there! I'm new here and not sure why I haven't thought to join this before. I've been struggling...

Montelukast

I've been on Montelukast for a few years and have noticed all the major health people say it is not...

Moderation team

See all
Homely2 profile image
Homely2Administrator
Lysistrata profile image
LysistrataAdministrator
ALUK_Nurses profile image
ALUK_NursesAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.