Montelukast anxiety

[Jaid123]

Hi all - I've been put on Motelukast for asthma and since being on it for the past fortnight I've been really anxious - heart racing, uptight, severe anxiety. Anyone else have this? Thanks

[Poobah]

Hi Jaid123. I've been on Montelukast for several years and only get the vivid dreams, but I can live with that as it helps my asthma. But I understand that some side effects can impact on the patient's mental wellbeing, quite severely in a small numberof cases. The big question is, has this medication improved your asthma? If you're comfortable in trying the meds for a month, you may find that your asthma improves and the side effects lessen, as your body adapts to it. If your asthma improves but the side effects remain, then the question is, is it worth it? Montelukast only has a positive impact on a percentage of patients, asthma wise and you can usually tell after a month. When starting any new asthma med, you should have a review with your asthma nurse or doctor after the first 4 to 6 weeks in order to discuss the efficacy etc of the new med. This is your opportunity to say how it's impacting on you and together, decide whether to keep the med as part of your asthma plan or not. Not every med works for every patient.

asthma.org.uk/advice/inhale...

[Jaid123 in reply to Poobah]

Hi Poobah, many thanks for your reply. I think that's a sensible approach for me to take - will give it a month to see if it helps... So far because I've been more anxious, I've been taking more deep breaths than usual and can't say it has helped my asthma anymore than blue and brown inhalers... But maybe too early to determine if it's having any effect. Thanks for your advice. Merry Christmas xx

[Chip_y2kuk]

There's a list of not so pleasant side effects of montelukast and anxiety/mental health problems are on there.... however there isn't anything that works like montelukast..... but if its becoming a problem then its worth speaking with your GP and discussing alternative treatments

[Hidden]

Hi Jaid123, I was started on Montelukast in October. My lovely GP(who knows how sensitive I can be to new medication!), put me on a lower, child's dose(4mgs) for a couple of weeks before we gradually worked up onto the adult 10mgs dose. I did have some side effects but they were mild and wore off the longer I was on it. It has completely stopped my overnight coughing though so I am really pleased I stuck with it.

[Dilly1958]

Your symptoms are those of anxiety!! This medication changed my life - I can XC Ski, go to the gym and on hill walks and nobody knew I was asthmatic until I got shielded!!! Stick with it - there have been a very few instances of mental health issues with young men but nothing more . They real do make a difference/ I’ve been on it since they were introduced...! Would not stop taking them

[Hidden]

Yes that happened to me too, along with terrible nightmares. It had little or no effect on my asthma, and I don't like taking drugs that interfere with my brain hence I stopped it and would refuse it if offered again.

[EllaBailey]

Hi. I was put on montelukast and Flovent and had anxiety and crazy dreams. I stopped the Flovent and the anxiety cleared up. The dreams remain but my asthma has never been better. I went from using my rescue inhaler daily to never.

[Angelgoth]

Hi I didn't have anxiety while taking this but I did get vivid dreams and terrible sleep paralysis. it didn't really do much for my asthma either so my doc took me off it.

Hope its helping you, and maybe speak to your doc about the side effects

[hilary39]

This drug has a particularly potent psychological effect on some people. The new warning from the Food and Drug Administration in the United States might be helpful to you--see the link below. I personally had to go off it after two weeks as I was having the craziest most psychedelic nightmares.

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

[Jaid123]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I will speak with my Doctor to see what other alternatives there are cause the anxiety feeling is too much. Appreciate all your replies. X 👍❤️

[Beadaholic]

I tried Montelukast with good results. My side effect was uncontrollable heart burn. I’m on zafirlukast, & it works just as well, with less heart burn.

[Dpotter]

Hi I had similar issues and also really vivid nightmares. I stopped taking it because of this but because it had really helped with my asthma I gave it another go. After about 4 weeks the side effects subsided and I’ve been fine on it now for a couple of years. Persevere if you can, and it’s working for you. Though it doesn’t help everyone. Good luck

[Joan_Public]

Hi, I also had worsening mental health symptoms on Montelukast; severe anxiety, terrifying nightmares and feelings of suicidal despair. I was on it for about 6 months before stopping. There was some improvement in my asthma, but, for me, it was not worth it as I couldn't leave the house.Like others have said, see how you feel and weigh up the pros and cons. Best of luck to you.