Montelukast : Can anyone on Montelukast... - Asthma Community ...

Asthma Community Forum

21,722 members24,486 posts

Montelukast

Lou09 profile image
20 Replies

Can anyone on Montelukast tell me if it helps?. Finally managed to see my asthma nurse today & was prescribed it alongside Fostair. I’m confused if it’s a long term thing or a short term thing?

I’m just really hoping it helps because I seem to be attached to my blue inhaler quiet a lot lately!

Written by
Lou09 profile image
Lou09
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
20 Replies
lakelover profile image
lakelover

Most people take it long term. It helped me but some people give up because of vivid dreams. I found these faded when I'd been on it for a while.

elanaoali profile image
elanaoali

I take both and monkelaust hasn't given me any issues. My asthma nurse said " give it two weeks it will work or not". It has haven't looked back. As for the inhaler Fostair I use the nexthaler version and it's keep me really well. Make sure you wash you mouth out after use. Stops getting oral thrush.

Lou09 profile image
Lou09 in reply to elanaoali

Thank you, Can I ask if you started on 5mg or 10mg. I’ve just looked at my box and realised it’s 5mg but I thought the nurse said 10.

elanaoali profile image
elanaoali

I would check with your doctors and the dose should be on the box. I started and take 10mg.

Poobah profile image
Poobah

Yes, it works for me, but you'll only know if it's the right medication for you by giving it at least an 8 week trial. I take it you have a follow up appointment to review your progress on the new meds and to discuss any issues or need for other treatment.

Lou09 profile image
Lou09 in reply to Poobah

Yeah I do have a follow up but it’s in 4 weeks not 8.

Poobah profile image
Poobah in reply to Lou09

Excellent. Hope Montelukast works well for you.

hilary39 profile image
hilary39

There are lots of good threads on this in the archives, too, if you want more info!

Lou09 profile image
Lou09 in reply to hilary39

Thank you I’ll have a look

GreenOak profile image
GreenOak

Montelukast helped me initially to clear all the mucus and get back to a normal pattern. I thought it was brilliant. BUT it came with horrific side effects and after a few months of taking it, I was having full blown night terrors and hallucinations for a year. I would attack my husband every night thinking he was an evil ghost out to get me! I had to come off it and that was very hard as my body was dependent on it. I thought I absolutely needed it because if I ever forgot to take a tablet I would fill up with mucus, have dreadful breathing and be a complete mess. I didn’t realise that was caused by my drug dependency and not the missed dose!

My breathing was really bad while I was withdrawing but my doctor told me to use my inhalers to get through it and within a week I was fine. I haven’t needed Montelukast again so far. My doctor said use it until you’re feeling well and then try coming off it and see what happens. It’s always there if you need to go back on it. If no nasty side effects then it probably won’t matter if you take it long term, but do watch out for changes in your sleep and moods.

Lou09 profile image
Lou09 in reply to GreenOak

I’ve been reading about the night terrors. I already get them near enough every night as it is so I really don’t want this to make them any worse

beech profile image
beech in reply to GreenOak

I take it in the morning because of taking other meds at night; I still find it works very well so far,

Emer1000 profile image
Emer1000

I take Singulair, Monteklaust is the generic. There are two diff makers of Monteklaust I could buy in the chemist in Ireland, one is produced in Slovakia, one from Iceland, I didn’t notice for years. I started to wonder a few years ago when my asthma became very unstable. I noticed there are a few diff ingredients and chemist advised they are the same active ingredients but slightly diff coatings. I changed back to Singulair because a colleague recommended it + I changed inhaler. My asthma is more stable now but I can’t attribute it to changing to Singulair as I also changed inhalers. However it might be worth checking the ingredients if you have option to buy Monteklaust from diff countries to see if dreams are better on either.

I'm sure lots of people find montelukast helpful but not me I'm afraid. It also gave me terrible nightmares...many disturbed nights.I wonder what dose of fostair you are on ? If you are on the lower dose you can increase the number of puffs instead of using the ventolin (blue) inhaler until you settle again.

Lou09 profile image
Lou09 in reply to

The nightmares are what bother me the most. I’m on 100/6 micrograms of Fostair

in reply to Lou09

Just in case the montelukast doesn't suit you, but lets hope it does...talk to your doctor or asthma nurse about using your fostair as your reliever as well. It can help to settle things and then you can revert to your usual twice a day dose.

Loopylou99 profile image
Loopylou99

By the third night I could sleep all night and the next day I went swimming with the kids. Wonderful for me

Lou09 profile image
Lou09 in reply to Loopylou99

That sounds positive! I’m just really hoping it helps!

Wheezy54 profile image
Wheezy54

I like Montelukast. It's been a game changer for me and no side effects to speak of. I will stay on it long term happily. It has allowed me to keep my beloved rescue dog who I'm allergic too. It does give me slightly crazy dreams occasionally if I'm honest but hey hi no contest I'd it means I can keep my pooch xx

Dpotter profile image
Dpotter

I find it helps a lot. You’ll know within a couple of weeks if it is. Do persevere with it though, I had some terrible vivid dreams/side effects at first and nearly stopped taking it but they soon subsided. Hope it works for you too.

You may also like...

Montelukast

medication for the past 3 years. It has really helped me. However i recently realised that my...

Montelukast

clinic for my asthma this morning. The doctor prescribed me Montelukast. Please can you tell me...

Montelukast

I've been on Montelukast for a few years and have noticed all the major health people say it is not...

montelukast

hi my daughter started taking Montelukast at the age of 4. She is now nearly 6. Over the last 6...

Montelukast

My astma nurse has put me on montelukast to help to reduce with excessive phlegm am am producing.