Montelukast

[Misscrisps]

My asthma is poorly controlled (5 courses of oral pred this year) and the asthma nurse has suggested I try Montelukast. Willing to try as I am concerned re the high steroid use so started them last night. However on reading the side effects I see that one of the most common is given as ' upper respiratory infection '. That's the last thing I need at present! Why would that be? And seems contradictory to prescribe for someone already struggling with asthma? Any thoughts please?

[Homely2 Administrator]

I was similar to you, last year, my nurse put me on montelukast, it did not work for me, but I had none of the side effects that are talked about.

It seems to work very well for some people

I was later put on spiriva, which works well for me.

[Lightoflife in reply to Homely2]

Hi have you had any side effects from Spiriva ? My respiratory specialist is considering this for my Long Covid breathing problems. I have asthma for many years but always controlled until I has Covid early this year. When I read the possible side effects it scared me !

[Homely2 Administrator in reply to Lightoflife]

I have had no side effects from spiriva, but have a chat with your respiratory specialist about them.

[Troilus]

I’ve been on it four about 4 years and have not experienced any side effects and I have not had any chest infections.

[Birthday60]

it was a game changer for me - no side effects and much improved health - worth giving it a try with an open mind.

[Tree20862]

It was started for me years ago for my asthma. It really helps me. We didn't know until we tried stopping it a year later.... My voice got deeper and my sinuses were draining more. I restarted it and I went back to being good.

I have no side effects. I have been on it for 15 years or more.

[Scrofulous]

Been on it for over a year with no side effects.

[Misscrisps]

Definitely sounds worth trying. I'll give it a go. Thanks everyone.

[Wheezeydarth]

Game changer for some but there is people out there that experience horrific side effects one in particular that effected me was the horrible nightmares and mental issues after researching full and wide i found that montelukast has been banned in most states and in Canada due to the direct link between this drug and suicide. Now im not trying to scare you far from it as i know personally people who have had their lives changed for the good from using it but please do your own research make your own choices and watch for mood swings as this is how it started for me. On the same subject when i explained my symptoms to my consultant she at first denied any known similar side effects but then after some time agreed that there has a "small"number of people that had suffered from it. Strange mmm. Anyway i hope it works well for you

[Misscrisps in reply to Wheezeydarth]

Thanks for the warning. I'll bear it in mind if I start to feel 'different'.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are a 'very common' side effect reported with most medications. Because they're very common in general and most people on a clinical trial will probably get one during the trial and have to report it because you have to report everything that could be a side effect.

I looked up the 'Summary of Product Characteristics' for montelukast just to check (this is the version of the product leaflet intended for healthcare professionals. I'm not a healthcare professional but create materials for them and often have to look up the professional version of drug labels).

It says that URTIs were 'very common' with montelukast BUT also 'very common' with placebo. So basically you're probably going to get URTIs aka colds whether or not you're taking montelukast.

But since URTIs/colds are a common trigger for asthma, it's helpful to be trying to get your asthma as under control as possible. If montelukast helps you do that then it's better to be on it than not on it when you get the colds/URTIs you would get anyway.

[Misscrisps in reply to Lysistrata]

Thank you so much for that detailed and informative reply. I feel much more reassured. I have been pushing to be referred to a consultant due to the high number of steroids but, probably understandably, the nurse says that's only when all other avenues have been tried. If the Montelukast doesn't work then she's going to up my Symbicort from 100/6 to 200/6. At least they are finally taking notice of me. Thanks again.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Misscrisps]

I'm glad it helped!

Just so you know, although I appreciate the system is struggling, Asthma and Lung UK are actually trying to encourage referral earlier, if you're needing frequent courses of steroids. In a report elsewhere from ALUK, it says if you've needed more than two short courses of oral steroids in a year they should be considering it.

This page doesn't mention a specific number but it may be worth showing to your nurse - the idea is to refer *before* you end up needing more and more steroids and the associated side effects: asthmaandlung.org.uk/condit...

[ellamental]

Hi Misscrisps. I was on it for a while years ago and while I didn’t have side effects when I came off it there was no difference. I don’t think it did anything for me. I was then on theophyline which did help for many years. I think Montelukast is the current drug of choice. I was in hospital a couple of years ago for a few days with pneumonia I was taken off theophyline and put on montelukast. When I came out I asked to be changed. Eventually, thanks to fasenra, came off theophyline and have had a marked improvement in asthma until last week and now have chest infection but saw the switched on GP - antibiotics so 🤞I missed the flu jab. Went for covid and flu together but they ran out of flu when we got there. Hope you feel better soon.

[Misscrisps in reply to ellamental]

I hope your infection soon responds to the antibiotics. Not good re the flu jab! I hope you will still try and get it another time.

[ellamental in reply to Misscrisps]

Yes I will sort flu jab for early Jan. Thank you. This is such a good forum for info and reassurance isn't it. Chest infection is improving albeit a bit on the slow side. I hope Montelukast helps your asthma but you are right about the side effects for some people. We are all different but taking anything can have side effect I guess. My sister hates prednisolone and for me it makes me feel a bit high or maybe it is just I feel more energised as I can finally breath when on it. 🤪

[Poobah]

I've been on Montelukast for a few years now and it's worked well in keeping my nasal polyps under control. It's also helped me with my allergies, reactions seem less aggressive. The only side effects were vivid dreams, but they rarely happen now.

Ideally, your asthma nurse should be reviewing your current treatment in line with the Asthma Stepwise Management guidance. You can Google that to see what the treatment and referral options are.

You could discuss your case with the Asthma UK nurses to see what they advise. Available M-F, 9 to 5, on 0300 222 5800.

[Misscrisps in reply to Poobah]

Thank you, I will have a look at that.

[Patk1]

I've been on thm for donkey's yrs with no probs.my 5yr old grandson has benefitted hugely on thm x

[DDDoreMouse]

I've been on Montelukast for several decades and have had no problems with it that I am aware of.