I'd like to hear from several users of Montelukast as to how long they feel it took to get an improvement in their symptoms. Hoping to get several answers so I can compare them and arrive at an average time-frame I should expect to wait on any positive results (assuming I'm lucky enough for this drug to work for me).
Thanks in anticipation.
**UPDATE 3rd March 2017
Thanks to everyone kind enough to respond. By way of reciprocation, I've added a below a possibly useful extract concerning this Drug Class - in particular the comments concerning zileuton were of interest. While I can't immediately relocate the source, if you want to find it you could try entering a sentence or two into Google and checking out the results - many of which will probably relate to Aspirin Intolerance and Asthma BUT there's a broader message here too about the benefits of this class of drugs, here's the extract:
'....Both leukotriene-receptor antagonists (LTRAs) (eg, montelukast, zafirlukast) [38,39,65,66] and inhibitors of leukotriene synthesis (eg, zileuton) [37,67] are effective in AERD. The general use of LTMAs in asthma is reviewed separately (figure 3 and table 2). (See "Agents affecting the 5-lipoxygenase pathway in the treatment of asthma".)
As a practical matter, most clinicians select an oral LTRA (montelukast, zafirlukast) for initial therapy, rather than the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitor zileuton, as zileuton requires twice daily administration, periodic monitoring of liver function tests, and has some potential drug interactions. If patients do not improve with the LTRA after four to six weeks, then zileuton may be added or substituted. In a survey of patients with AERD, respondents identified zileuton as "extremely effective" more often than LTRAs [47].
●A randomized trial compared montelukast with placebo in 80 patients with asthma and NSAID intolerance, the majority of whom required inhaled or oral glucocorticoids to control their symptoms [65]. Four weeks of treatment with montelukast was associated with a 10 percent increase in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), higher morning peak flow rates, decreased use of rescue medication, and a significant improvement in asthma quality of life scores. The montelukast group also experienced 54 percent fewer asthma exacerbations.
●A randomized trial evaluated the effect of six weeks of treatment with the 5-LO inhibitor zileuton (600 mg, four times daily) in 40 patients with AERD [67]. Existing therapy was continued, which included medium to high doses of inhaled (average daily dose >1000 micrograms of beclomethasone or budesonide) or oral glucocorticoids (4 to 25 mg daily) for all but one patient. The addition of zileuton compared with placebo resulted in both immediate and ongoing improvement in pulmonary function and lower use of short-acting beta-agonists for symptom relief. Zileuton also alleviated nasal symptoms, including rhinorrhea, congestion, and impaired sense of smell. Furthermore, zileuton produced a small reduction of bronchial hyperresponsiveness to histamine.
While the simultaneous use of zileuton and a LTRA has not been formally studied, it has been mentioned in case series and reviews [68-70]. It is thought that combination therapy may be advantageous in patients who do not achieve disease control with either of the individual agents. The rationale for combination therapy is based upon studies demonstrating that patients with AERD have elevated cysteinyl leukotriene (cysLT) levels and receptor numbers, as well as upregulation of 5-LO. Thus, combination therapy may address these abnormalities more completely.
...'
Written by
Matman
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I have tried this twice. First time it had no effect. the second time things improved after about two weeks. I could walk faster using it. With my asthma I don't get short of breath, but my pf drops & I can cough for England!
Thought I'd let those who were kind enough to respond to my Montelukast Question know that I've found and added some interesting and related info to my original post that may be of help to those with an interest in this drug. healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...
Thought I'd let those who were kind enough to respond to my Montelukast Question know that I've found and added some interesting and related info to my original post that may be of help to those with an interest in this drug. healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...
Hi I've been on montelukast since December it took about a month to work I think it really helps my asthma as am breathing much better and hardly ever coughing hope my advice helps
Thought I'd let those who were kind enough to respond to my Montelukast Question know that I've found and added some interesting and related info to my original post that may be of help to those with an interest in this drug. healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...
I have allergic asthma and was put on monkelaust last year. I was told by my asthma nurse (20 years experience) that it takes two weeks to work. It either works for you or it doesn't. Simple and clear cut. I took it it worked for me. Still taking it every day 10 mg at night. No side effects either.
Thought I'd let those who were kind enough to respond to my Montelukast Question know that I've found and added some interesting and related info to my original post that may be of help to those with an interest in this drug. healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...
Took longer to work for me. I had strange dreams for about a month and very nearly gave up....just desperate to improve my asthma flare ups. The dreams faded away and gradually it kicked in, reducing my asthma triggers....mainly perfumes and certain foods. It took about three months to build for me but definitely saw a big difference over time. Been taking it 14 months now. Hope that helps.
Thought I'd let those who were kind enough to respond to my Montelukast Question know that I've found and added some interesting and related info to my original post that may be of help to those with an interest in this drug. healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...
I've been on it a year and a half. It kicked in after a couple of weeks. I found it's helped to dampen down my reaction to triggers. I still react, but it takes longer for me to react around a trigger. My reactions aren't just with asthma, but also with itching all over. This is dampened down by the Montelukast, amongst other medicines. Had no side-effects from it. I do talk a lot in my sleep, and have strange dreams, but I did that before. Hope it works for you.
Thought I'd let those who were kind enough to respond to my Montelukast Question know that I've found and added some interesting and related info to my original post that may be of help to those with an interest in this drug. healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...
I've been taking montelukast for a week and have yet to notice a difference. It sounds like it will take a while to potentially ease symptoms and I will definitely stick with it for at least a few months. My GP said to try it and that it must or may not work! I hope that it starts to work for you too.
Thought I'd let those who were kind enough to respond to my Montelukast Question know that I've found and added some interesting and related info to my original post that may be of help to those with an interest in this drug. healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...
I have been taking Montelukast for about 5 years. The improvement came slowly over about 3/4weeks. It is extremely good atcontrolling my allergic asthma and other numerous allergies. I also take Qvar 100 x2 twice daily and on average about once a week or less for ventolin. Ventolin tends to be required if. I have a cold or it is very cold.
When I first took it I knew within an hour that it was working - my sinuses and breathing improved DRAMATICALLY.
However, script ran out and in the normal NHS way I've been on a string of different brands since, and am thinking about stopping it as it has not worked apart from that first pack.
I've had the same problem with several medications and am truly sick to the teeth of the apparent lack of control of the drug companies.
I've been on montelukast for around three years now (since I was about 15), but I don't feel like it's had an effect. I was on the 5mg dose but have been upped to 10mg, along with a lot of different preventer inhalers.
I think for most people it only takes a few weeks of constant use (providing your other medication also helps to control your asthma) but it does depend on each individuals asthma. I've got very difficult to control asthma and have been switched to four different preventative inhalers since mid 2016 so I may not be the best example!
Thanks for your Comments and your Good Wishes. The 3rd of March addition to my orignal Post was quite lengthy and many folk may not have had the time or inclination to consider it. Therefore - just in case that included you - the following bit about combining montelukast with zileuton may be of interest if montelukast alone is not helping you much at present.
'....The addition of zileuton compared with placebo resulted in both immediate and ongoing improvement in pulmonary function and lower use of short-acting beta-agonists for symptom relief. Zileuton also alleviated nasal symptoms, including rhinorrhea, congestion, and impaired sense of smell. Furthermore, zileuton produced a small reduction of bronchial hyperresponsiveness to histamine.
While the simultaneous use of zileuton and a LTRA has not been formally studied, it has been mentioned in case series and reviews [68-70]. It is thought that combination therapy may be advantageous in patients who do not achieve disease control with either of the individual agents....'
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
nervous about montelukast 
Coming off Montelukast 
Montelukast info please
montelukast and high blood pressure 
Montelukast/ Xolair effect on turbinates
