What are people's opinions on montelukast? I am trying it again as I still have mucus in the back of throat. However, I'm super paranoid about the side effects, especially as I have a history of anxiety. I took one last night and feel a bit jittery today but that may be psychosomatic! Already, I've noticed I haven't coughed today and there seems to be less/no thick mucus in throat.
I would rather not be on it but want to find a way that I can get a cold without having to resort to steroids and chest infections from asthma.
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With anything like that, it's difficult because people who get on fine with a drug don't tend to come online and talk about it, but people who had a bad time or their relative did, will talk about it a lot! I totally get the difficulty though - when I was trying to choose a long-term contraceptive it felt like everyone was talking about their horror stories and then someone else was on about how wonderful it was for them.
It's worth knowing that a lot, though not all, of the psychiatric side effects from montelukast were in children who were on too high a dose. (That's now been adjusted so their dose is half the adult one.) There are plenty of people who either do well with montelukast, or it doesn't do anything for their asthma but they don't get any side effects.
I've been on it for 12 years now and sometimes I think oh it's not doing anything, or some doctor wants to stop it, but I find I'm worse off it. My current consultant wasn't keen because 'you don't have allergic asthma' well no, but it helps me anyway. I seem to have much better exercise tolerance on it and I really struggled just trying a week off last time.
I've only had psychiatric side effects when I accidentally took an extra dose one time - I felt very angry but it wore off. I have no formal history of anxiety that I will admit to (because I have a bad history with doctors trying to ignore my asthma as 'anxiety' even though I don't get anxious about breathing or really have breathing issues when I'm anxious). But it's there and I don't think montelukast has made it worse. I do have very vivid and weird dreams but I always have - they're mostly not disturbing, and I don't think the montelukast has made them any more weird! A friend it didn't work for said the only thing she noticed on it was a full dream replay of the last TV she watched - she did avoid Game of Thrones before bed...
It took me maybe 3-4 days to see a real difference, and it's meant to be 4-6 weeks for full effect. Obviously those times will vary. And the effect will also vary - but it's worth a go! If you really struggle and find you're having nightmares or loads more anxiety, you can stop it.
I’ve been on Montelukast for ages now I think it’s great, didn’t really get any side effects. Everyone is different though so worth giving it a go. I’m also on Fexofenadine which helps with the mucus too.
I have been taking it for several years now with no bad effects. I take it in the morning as I choose to, spacing out the other medications I take in a day. I would be very reluctant to stop taking it as I feel the positive effect it has on my breathing. 👍
I have been on it for years. With no problems for a long time. I then started having horrible dreams. I now take them in the morning with no side affects. Maybe speak to your pharmacist or Gp if you are concerned or worried.
Hi my son did have side Psychogenic side effects and disturbed sleep. Did not realise it was linked as it was also lock down and we had had a bereavement . . Later diagnosed with Autism ( often anxiety is linked) However, he does have anxiety and the guidance states do not give to children with anxiety. The US don’t but the UK only has become more aware of this guidance more recently. It sounds like everyone has different side effects to meds eg . my daughter and son both react badly to steroids ( become manic and cannot sleep) but the other daughter does not so think it depends on child. Discuss this with your GP pharmacist or asthma nurse if you have one. . They should be more research now.
I have found it beneficial for my asthma and initially I started dreaming which was unusual but pleasant dreams, after a year they became quite dark and I was waking quite early because of them, so I stopped taking it for a few days to let things calm down and have now restarted taking 1 tablet on alternate days to see how it goes.
I've had two periods of depression/anxiety in the past, around 22 and 25 years ago, related to the workplace and again after a bereavement. Subsequent to these periods, I was prescribed Montelukast and I've continued to take it as it does have a positive effect on my asthma and nasal polyps. Apart from vivid dreams, I've had no other side effects. I was quite reluctant to take it, given my past experiences which I didn't wish to repeat, but I thought I would give it a couple of months trial. The vivid dreams happen much less than they used, which I take as a bonus.
I recently had a pinched nerve in my neck and my GP prescribed Amitriptyline, even though it's an antidepressant. Worked wonders for the neck and related pain but I was expecting problems around mood when I came off it, fortunately that hasn't happened.
You'll only know how Montelukast will treat your asthma and if you'll experience any side effects by giving it a try. You'll know a few days in if it's helped your asthma and side effects, if any, should reduce after 2 ir 3 weeks. Good luck!
I have been on montelukast for years but take it on a morning and haven’t had any side affects.I also live with anxiety and depression so also take sertraline now, previously I was on citralopram for 5 years until last year when it was changed.
Like it’s already been said unfortunately everyone has a different story with meds and all you can really do is give it a go and see how it is for you
As its only 10mg I've ever really worried about it - and I not one to take things unnecessarily. No side effects whatsoever over the 10 years I've been taking it for the allergic aspect of asthma.
I’ve been on Montelukast for many years and my understanding from a relative who works in medical research is that it is not meant to deal with mucus but relieve inflammation and tightness so maybe it’s not the appropriate solution for your concerns. Speak with your asthma team to find something you are comfortable with
I'm in my 50s. I've been on Montelukast for 6-8 years (can't remember excactly). It helps keep my breathing calm - removing some erratic changes in breathing depths I was getting back then. My asthma is genetic (started at puberty), usually triggered by allergens. I take Monte in the evening (amongst other pills and potions). I get the lucid dreaming sometimes which can be exhausting, but it's rare enough to not be a nuisance.
The main annoyance with Montelukast to me is when exercising. I find it seems difficult to get my breathing to change frequency when starting cardio sensitive workouts. Where I used to just get on a new piece of gym equipment and get on with it, now I have to deliberately and almost theatrically deep inhale and almost blow air out for a while at the start to get a change. However, it also has made me more aware of my breathing and oxygen intake, so it's something i'm willing to put up with.
Monte took a while to kick in fully for me - around a month, which is what I was warned by the Asthma nurse. Give it some time, but note that the mucus won't have been cured by the Monte, but it may have been dried out by your better breathing if you're lucky enough to have Monte work straight away.
thank you everyone. I've had it for three days now and feel it's affecting me in terms of side effects. However, I will ride it out for a week or so, to see what happens. It may not be intended for mucus, but that does seem to have gone now. I had a chest infection a few weeks ago, so it maybe settling down from that. My general feeling is that montelukast has been helpful already for asthma but is also making me anxious.
Hi, I've been on Montelukast for 6 years. I only notice how good it is when I run out before being able to collect my next prescription! I can really notice the difference without it. Personally I haven't noticed any side effects from it, but it does seem to be a helpful addition along with all my other medication.
Hi, I've been on Montelukast since I was 27, I'm 57 now and have to say it's been a godsend to me. From the first time I took it, I noticed a marked improvement in my breathing. My nighttime wheezing and coughing stopped. To be honest, I've not looked back. I think when I started taking it, it had just come out.
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