Any problems with Montelukast?

[Bucketlist]

I’ve been taking this since Friday, I know it’s early days, but I’m so exhausted, I wondered if it could be these? It seems to be a different kind of tired to when I first had my Asthma diagnosis last year.

[M-D-F]

I'm also on these and have no bad experience, be careful in case you are blaming Montekulast for something that is coincidental.

[Bucketlist in reply to M-D-F]

I know, I guess I have to accept that a coincidence is possible. Thanks for the reply

[TJRN1959]

I don't want to worry you, but I was given Montelukast last autumn, and it nearly killed me. Or rather I nearly killed me because of it. Montelukast is associated with "neuropsychiatric" adverse effects for some people. In my case I quickly spiralled into a deep depression, complete with nightmares, low mood and suicidal ideation. At one period I was contacted daily by the mental health services to monitor my state of mind. It took about 2 weeks for the effects fully to become manifest, another six weeks for the connection to be made, and several months of recuperation and talking therapies to get me back on track. If you do a web search you'll quickly find out more. The irony is that the drug definitely improved my breathing - I had peak flow readings that would have won prizes. Based on my experience I'd say by all means give Montelukast a try, but if you start to feel low, or find that you're having bizarre dreams then stop taking it at once.

[hoping2improve in reply to TJRN1959]

Hello like you I am unable to take Montelukast. Would you be able to say what if anything you were given as an alternative?

[Bucketlist in reply to hoping2improve]

As they were to help the allergy related part of my Asthma I’m just taking Hay fever Tablets. All ok so far.

[hoping2improve in reply to Bucketlist]

Hi . Thanks, glad that's working for you

[TJRN1959 in reply to hoping2improve]

Hi. After stopping Montelukast I've just gone back to 200microgram Clenil, 4 puffs in the morning, 4 puffs at night. I have changed spacer to a "Compact Space Chamber Plus" made by Medical Developments International Ltd, and sold in the EU via Emergo Europe in Holland. It's by far and away the best spacer I've ever used - way better than the Volumatic one. It's small and convenient, and seems to be great at getting the inhaler mist right down into the lungs. Unfortunately it's not kept me out of trouble entirely - this week I ended up in hospital for 3 days with a chest infection and asthma exacerbation.

[Bucketlist in reply to TJRN1959]

Crikey, is that because you came off the Montelukast? So far I’m off all meds and am slowly starting to feel better. Nurse is going to ring me tomorrow and help me to make sense of what is happening.

Hope you get better soon

[hoping2improve in reply to TJRN1959]

Hi. Thanks for the information. Sorry its not kept you out of trouble. Hope you recovering.

Does seem to take a while to get meds right unfortunately.

[Bucketlist]

Thanks for that, my only symptoms so far is that I have jelly knees, lead feet and am totally exhausted, but my breathing has improved, possibly due to the steroids I was also given. Although I did have a bit of a turn at the Doctors on Wednesday, he asked me how I was and I couldn’t think why I was there! I Couldn’t even remember how I got there or what medication I was on, he had it all on his screen anyway and didn’t seem bothered, but my husband was freaked out.

anyway, decision made, no more Montelukast for me. Thanks so much for your reply, hope things are better for you now

[Holly89]

I started taking montelukast 6 weeks ago, and now you mention it I was overly tired the following week but then it eased off. Could well be just a coincidence. I don’t have any issues with it now since my body has got used to it though. Keep going with it and hopefully it will pass 😊

[Bucketlist]

Hi Holly

thanks for the reply, I’ve now got another problem which is on the list of possible side effects, so I’m not going to take them any more and I’ll see what happens, I can always go back on them if necessary.

[ikaty-pie in reply to Bucketlist]

This place s something you should really chat to your Asthma nurse about. It’s one of the safest drugs ever! Of course no drug is ever going to be 100% side effect free for 100% of people but of all medications developed this one is very, very well tolerated by most people. It’s even got a licence for new babies and not many meds hav that!

It might be something else that you are doing, taking or not doing or taking.

Talk to your Asthma nurse.

Good luck

Katy

[Bucketlist in reply to ikaty-pie]

She is going to ring me tomorrow, thanks for replying.

[TJRN1959 in reply to ikaty-pie]

From a singularly personal perspective I'd have to disagree that Montelukast is "...one of the safest drugs ever". I was taking it for about 6 weeks before a well-informed GP-Registrar (working at my GP surgery for only a few weeks) made the connection between my taking the drug and a very serious and rapid slide into a dark depression. My Montelukast experience started with hugely improved peak flow readings, and then after about two weeks I started to have really bizarre dreams. The dreams became nightmares and the nightmares became a waking reality. I am talking curled-up-in-a-ball-on-the-floor type screaming episodes of sheer despair, the sort of thing I'd have thought only existed in the movies. Almost as dramatic was the improvement once the Montelukast was stopped, although it's taken several months for me to feel more or less normal again. I was off work for over a month, and the personal cost has been huge. My situation has been reported to the MHRA under the yellow card scheme. There's been extensive work done around the world, notably in Australia, the US and Holland, to establish the link between Montelukast and neuropsychiatric episodes, and the evidence is clear. To anyone considering Montelukast I'd say by all means give it a try, but if you or those around you start to notice any changes in your mood or behaviour then it's time to stop.

[ikaty-pie in reply to TJRN1959]

I’m glad it was identified, reported and you are okay now. I did say that no drug is 100% for everyone, that’s always to be remembered when ANY new drug is being prescribed to a person but of all the drugs ever developed all over the world and for all disease areas singular is one of the ones who hat has far fewer side effects and risks for most people than most other drugs.

There is no magic pill that is perfect for everyone which is why it’s good that there is ongoing research & trials to give more choices for each patient.

It’s also always good to be vigilant when you’re newly prescribed anything.

I hope you find the right combination for you. It’s rotten what happened to you but, thankfully also it’s rare too.

Thanks for sharing your story.

Katy x

[Vitbee]

I had to stop taking it because of the side affects x

[Bucketlist in reply to Vitbee]

Today is the first day I’ve been able to get up, showered and get into the car for a ride to the shops, without having to go back to bed, hopefully the pills are wearing off.

[Vitbee in reply to Bucketlist]

That's sounds like a good start ...I had loads of side affects from sickness to nightmares and being tired alol the time and more ...I only lasted 10 days but I'll never take them again ...took about 3 days after I stopped to feel a lot better x

[Bucketlist]

My 3rd day will be tomorrow, fingers crossed I’ll be back to normal.

[Chrisatsaydo]

I have been taking montelukast for about 4 years now, and I myself don’t have a problem with them, but if you have some concerns go back to your Doctor and tell him or her what you are experiencing, good luck, I hope that you find things work out for you ok.

Regards Christine

[Bucketlist]

Hi Christine, I spoke to the Nurse this morning, as I have a virus, which is probably causing all sorts of problems, i am off the Montelukast until further notice or at least until my Hayfever kicks in! Thanks for the reply, pleased to hear that you are doing well on the tablets.