Symbicort and increased hunger, bizarre dreams?

[Flowergirl78]

Strange question but has anyone experienced increased hunger on symbicort or any other steroid inhaler. Since I've been on it I've been really hungry and keep getting the munchies 🤣😂. Not going to do my waistline any good (already got bigger during lockdown lol). Am I going mad or have others experienced this. I was on Fostair 100/6 × 2 puffs daily and never had this, I'm now on Symbicort 200/6 x 4 puffs daily. Also really bizarre dreams every night, I did experience this with the Fostair but not to this severity or this long.

Is it just me or have others had this joy lol

[Poobah]

I've been on both Symbicort and Fostair and would say my appetite didn't alter between the two, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been the case for others. Oral steroids definitely increase my appetite though. A healthy appetite may also be a sign you're feeling very well.

I get vivid dreams thanks to Montelukast, a known side effect. Are you on this med as inhalers don't list vivid dreams as a side effect?

[Flowergirl78 in reply to Poobah]

Yes I take montelukast too but they've seemed more vivid lately, maybe I've been snacking on the wrong foods before bed 😂. Hoping it's a side effect that will go as since being on symbicort I haven't needed a reliever, although unfortunately it's getting a little unstable again but I know that's due to the hayfever flaring up.

[Poobah in reply to Flowergirl78]

It may be worth trying to take Montelukast early evening and see if that helps reduce the number of vivid dreams. Dosage for adults is 10mg regardless of size (7st to infinity), whereas young teenagers are prescribed 5mg. If you are small in stature it may be worth talking to your asthma nurse or GP about a lower dose to see if you still maintain the benefits but reduce the side effects.

I know there's been talk about precision medicine and hopefully getting more accurate dosing for individual weight etc will play a part in that.

[Flowergirl78 in reply to Poobah]

Thank you. I've been taking it awhile now but you mentioning taking it earlier in the evening has made me realise I've been taking it last thing at night, and I've been going later to bed for a couple of weeks which may be the cause. My 10yr old takes the 5mg dose of montelukast so don't think it would be enough.Thank you, you may have just solved the dreams issue. Didn't even think about the time I take it at night.

[Poobah in reply to Flowergirl78]

Here's hoping it does the trick! 🤞

[Wheezycat in reply to Poobah]

Interesting. Montelukast certainly affected my dreams, but like a film played far too fast, very busy. It also seemed to affect both my sleep quality and reduce my hours slightly, and in the end, due to tiredness, I started taking them in the morning instead, which is far better for my sleep, or so it seems. Now my dreams are vivid, but not on fast forward, and so much more restful!

[Poobah in reply to Wheezycat]

I may try taking it in the morning and see if my dreams become less vivid, especially now my allergies have flared.