Montelukast and alcohol

[DeanSamson]

Hi,

Since being on montelukast I think my tolerance to alcohol has gone down. Today I got back from our family holiday and barley touch any alcohol. One day it was raining so me and my wife decided to get out moneys worth at the all inclusive bar. I managed about 4 small plastic cups of beer and I felt light headed and dizzy. Started getting heart palpitations which in turn sets off anxiety.

Today we got home and after a long drive we had some food and I had 2 cans of 4% larger and 20 minutes later after a shower i feel all drowsy, heart palpitations and anxiety again. Feel like the room is spinning. I'm going to stop the montelukast for a while to see if that's causing it. It's the only new medication I have tried. In the last few weeks. If I thought it was making my asthma 100% better I'd stop having the odd beer. But at the moment I can even do that.

Thanks all.

[Lotti_321-]

Hi, I take montelukast and it’s not had this effect. But every medication effects everyone differently. For example a lot of people think montelukast is like a miracle drug where asthma concerned. You should the see looks on dr faces when I’ve told them in the past that I don’t take it.

If you feel it works for you, then it might be worth chatting to your gp and see about trying the children dose of 5mg. You may find you are able to tolerate it a bit better.

[DeanSamson in reply to Lotti_321-]

Hi thanks I'm actually on the children's dose after 3 failed attempts at the 10mg dose. For some reason it doesn't sit will with me.

[Js706]

I think when I’ve looked it up before that drinking alcohol can increase the likelihood of side effects from montelukast, so it could be that?

[DeanSamson in reply to Js706]

Thanks it seems that way.

[Symes]

Try stopping the alcohol, not the montelukast. Maybe stick to non-alcoholic lagers. See if that helps.

[Elspe]

I have been on montelukast for years. And I drink very little, unlike days of yore... I had assumed it was because of my liver, which is also compromised by fatty liver. Half of a VERY small glass of cider will do me. But I also dislike the feeling of being drunk these days, so it doesn't bother me. If I have any alcohol it's for the taste - a sip of wine, etc. I avoid beer because of the ? preservative? makes me wheeze.

[DeanSamson]

Thanks all. I have been off the montelukast now since Saturday. And since then I have had a whole load of side effects. Again with the alcohol it makes me feel sick tired and drowsy and that's after 2 drinks. I also started on sunday with slight sinus problems and days I woke up with full blown swelling to the face pain in the face and forehead. I did read somewhere in the leaflet that these can upset the sinuses somewhat.