Montelukast feeling very down

[Cal_]

Wondering the best way to stop taking montelukast. Feeling very down which seems to be reaction to it.

Is it best to taper off ie every other day to begin with

[Bevvy]

I also decided to come off montelukast. In my case was due to horrific dreams. I had been taking it for years. I literally just stopped taking and had no issues/side affects stopping.

[twinkly29]

I would advise talking to your GP or asthma nurse - not necessarily about the way to stop it but so they know you are doing so. They might have some suggestions or advice which would improve things but also they need to know that it hasn't worked for you and can hopefully try something else instead- otherwise your asthma remains uncontrolled (or becomes uncontrolled if it's been better on the montelukast).

[hilary39]

They just put a mental health advisory on it in the states.

fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-a...

I was on it for a month once and had psychedelic terrifying nightmares--for some people, it is really potent in how it breaks the blood / brain barrier and other people seem to do fine on it. I'd talk to your doctor about tapering but it's good you've realized it's having an effect on you and that you're doing something about it!! I hope that the side effects vanish asap for you.

And I agree with Twinkly that it's a good idea to get back into your GP to figure out what other meds you can add or step up to make sure you don't lose any control over your asthma you've gotten with this pill-

[watergazer]

Sorry no advice but hoping you are feeling better soon x

[Cal_]

Thank you but it's one of the medications to get shielding letter from gp so a bit stuck really. Work not helpful or understanding

[twinkly29 in reply to Cal_]

The shielding letters now seem based on lists from the spring but they're not going to eveg know someone's situation had changed never mind actually revoke a letter.

But in any case, if someone can't tolerate a medication they should be able to look at alternatives. It's the level of asthma treatments that would tip someone into being clinically extremely vulnerable not specific named medications - there are other things that would be given as additional preventers, montelukast isn't the only one.

[peege]

Its such a low dose im surprised its making you feel down. I very very rarely feel down but this second lock down is certainly lowering my spirits.

Do let your medics know if youre dropping it wont you - I bought a pill cutter, £3 from chemists for weaning myself off something else a couple of years ago, helped a lot. P

[Matrix]

I don’t feel depressed I just have lost my appetite totally .I would ask the dr first and if you come off try doing it slowly .💕🤗

[Hidden]

Hi Cal_,

Sorry to hear you're feeling very down with the montelukast, I know it can really play with your emotions, and as Bevvy said it can give you some fairly scary dreams. I found problems in life exacerbated these feelings and I can't say anyone isn't feeling anxious about what's going on in the world at the moment. I stopped taking it suddenly after several months due to these side effects and it didn't affect me at all, in fact in a number of days my anxiety and bad dreams completely went. I would as others have said talk to your GP. You may find your asthma isn't affected as much if you stop taking it now as we're out of the pollen season, but do get professional advice as they may offer alternative treatment. I've kept a supply if my asthma gets really bad again, haven't needed to do that yet - touch wood. Take care

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

was going to say as well, if you're worried it will affect your shielding letter, tell your GP your concerns about this and how your work isn't helping, they should be able to help.

[sarahjane12]

Hi i was on montelukast for 2 years and just stopped my doctors said it was fine as I was having really bad nightmares depression and put lots of weight on i was better when i come off them there good for some people but doctors gave me alternative for my allergies.

[Starstream20]

Hi, I have just stopped taking it, doctor said just stop (couldn't see that it was helping me at all)

Haven't tappered off at all and have been fine, was on it for about 9 months 😀

[Monkeybuns]

I’ve been on montelukast for 5 weeks and I’ve become really tearful and depressed. I’ve decided to take myself off this medication. I’ve started tapering, I’m talking 3/4 of a tablet at the moment, I’m 3 days into it. Unsure how slow to take it, but hoping to minimize side effects. What have you decided?

[Cal_ in reply to Monkeybuns]

I've not decided yet. I'm really down anyway with the way work don't understand my situation. So concerned coming of this will make my asthma worse. Are you cutting your tablets?

[Monkeybuns in reply to Cal_]

Yes that’s what I’ve been doing. I have a history of depression and anxiety, and used to take lots of meds. I am quite familiar with tapering but I can’t find anything about tapering this. I’ve been coughing a bit more but haven’t had to use rescue inhaler yet. I’m planning to let my GP know, but it’s near impossible to get an appointment so I’m not super worried. I’ve just been having episodes of crying for entire days. Not normal for me. I’ve been stable for a few years. I have a new diagnosis of non-asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis /asthma. They don’t know. Next step is a different inhaler I guess.

[Cal_]

Do you not use your rescue inhaler when you are coughing more. Do you mean what I would call "reliever" like salbutamol. 🙂

[Monkeybuns in reply to Cal_]

Yes, my blue inhaler.

[Cal_ in reply to Monkeybuns]

I hope you are feeling better 🙂