Morning, my daughter, who is three, has been on Montelukast for 16 months now and I'm starting to wonder if this is what's affecting her mood. Her tantrums have always been way worse than any of her peers but it's now getting out of hand. I have read that it can affect moods swings, aggression and depression and she definitely suffers with the first two. I appreciate we have had the terrible two's and now the threenager stage but her level of constant stress and aggression is clearly beyond what would be seen as "normal".
I'd be really interested to hear from other parents who experienced any behavioural issues and once their child came off Montelukast did they improve?
My daughter is seeing her consultant in June, although am trying to bring this forward, and will raise all of this with her too.
Thank you.
Written by
afh74
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I asked the Asthma UK nurse team your question and I'm sure some parents on the forum will be able to share their experiences. Unfortunately this is a known side effect with Montelukast. Although, it's generally well tolerated and effective sometimes the side effects dictate whether treatment may be continued or not.
There may be an Asthma Nurse Specialist that works alongside the Consultant that you are due to see who you could telephone and speak to in the first instance?
Usually if the mood swings and aggression are caused by the Montelukast then these side effects will improve once stopping the treatment.
Do give the Asthma UK specialist nurse team a call on 0300 222 5800 (M-F, 9-5) for a chat and advice.
Dita, thank you so much for the information. I have placed a call this morning to the secretary of my daughter's consultant and when she calls me back I'll ask her about speaking to a specialist nurse because the situation is now quite severe and I feel the benefits of the drug are outweighed by the affect it's now having on her.
My 3 1/2 year old was taking the 4mg chewables but he was getting SO emotional! He has been having break downs like when he was 2. We were about to stop it but he got a cold and his asthma was making his chest really tight even after hia breathing treatments so we decided to keep trying it for a while. We did switch him to the granule packets though because the chewables have aspartame in them. I'm wondering if the aspartame could be part of the bad mood swings. We just switched so not sure if there is a difference yet. Best of luck to you! It's so hard when are babies need to be on meds.
Hi, thanks for the reply. We use the 4mg granules too. I suspect the next time she gets a really bad cold I'll be thinking "do I put her back on them" but these mood swings and the rage are just out of control now.
Yes, our Dr.said that we could kind of use them as needed too. Currently looking for something natural that could help his ashma and allergies. So far tumeric is the only thing that I've found but haven't tried it yet.
This drug is dangerous and mind changing. it affects sleep and moods. I am in the process of legal action as it was not notified until FDA notified doctors of adverse reactions to brain functions. Bin them.
Hi, my son is almost 7 years old and has been on montelukast for one month. I work at a school so this is the first holiday we’ve been off together so I have noticed him getting upset over the smallest of things (things he usually wouldn’t worry about). He has cold induced asthma and as soon as he gets a runny nose/cough his asthma flares up! Whilst being on montelukast he has had cold twice and no signs of asthma flaring up at all! I think I’m going monitor him for a little while longer! Fingers crossed it helps and he doesn’t get these side effects! Hopefully your little girl gets sorted, feel for them when they so little!
Children under the age of 5 are the ones that experience the side effects of montelukast the most. Doctors do suggest to stop it if it causes mood swings, problems with sleep etc. And when they reach 5 they try to put them back on it if needed
I know it's year after post but I actually started thinking my child had autism, turned out it was ML. His been off it for a few years now but some of the side effects have never left.
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