Montelukast and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2016

For Allergic Rhinitis "Within days of starting this medication, I became a different person. Anxious, depressed, hopeless. I thought the world had turned against me for some reason and couldn't muster the strength to get dressed in the morning. But the worst part, if you can imagine something worse than constant anxiety, was the fear. It was like being afraid for your life every minute. I began checking the door locks 5 or 6 times because I feared being murdered in my sleep. It was when I was making plans to set up my bed in the closet did I finally have the moment of clarity that this wasn't rational thinking and something was very wrong! Stopped taking Singulair and was back to cheerful, sunny, optimistic, confident self in 2 days. Never again!!!"

• New...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 14, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "I had adult onset of asthma in 2013 (also had it as a kid). My allergist put me on 10 mg Montelukast (generic for Singulair) per day in the evening or before sleeping. I really thought that after short-term treatment my asthma would subside. However, that has not been the case, which means that I now have to take this medication every day probably for the rest of my life. It has been a miracle drug for me. I have nighttime asthma where if I don't take Montelukast, I wake up in the middle of the night with chest tightness, wheezing, and coughing. With it, I am able to sleep properly without any symptoms. From time to time, I do break the 10 mg into half to make it 5 mg, and it still works well for me. Luckily, I have not experienced any physical side effects, though psychological side effects are tough to assess. I've read it can cause mood changes, anxiety, aggression, etc. While I don't have an extreme case of these symptoms, all of us suffer from these things from time to time, so it's not so black and white."

• DPa...
• May 8, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "This montelukast medication is awful! But at least reading these reviews puts me at ease that I’m not going to go insane because that’s literally where I felt I was heading after just 3 weeks into taking these without realizing it was these. Then, 3 days ago, when I looked at the instructions and other information, I stopped taking them immediately. Never in my life have I experienced mental issues before taking this, and all of a sudden, on montelukast, I was having panic attacks, feeling anxious and depressed, getting tremors, just the most horrible things that I never understood before I felt this! Now I know what people go through. But this drug causes these effects, and apparently, it’s not that uncommon either if you read the instructions, 1 in 100 will experience these side effects. In the scale of things, that isn’t that rare at all, I think. These side effects are dying down, but far from normal yet, clearly, the reviews here speak volumes. Horrible, horrible drug. Stay clear of montelukast!!"

• dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2020

For Allergic Rhinitis "After two weeks of using montelukast, I started having really bad nightmares, waking up early, feeling anxious. During the day, I would feel really tired, with pain in my ankles. Some days later, my memory got worse, I started forgetting words, was really slow, it just felt as if my mind was blank and I didn't know how to do basic stuff. I had very strange thoughts, felt really dark and in a bad place. I started feeling really depressed because of this, I was afraid that I'll lose control of myself, became a totally different person. It was then I read this page and started crying when seeing that there were so many that had the same issues. I stopped taking montelukast immediately, now it's been 72 hours off montelukast and I'm feeling almost back to normal. The first day after the medicine was rough, but slowly it got better. Please take this and other users' experiences into account before starting the drug, it should be forbidden to take it."

• Mom...
• March 10, 2020

For Asthma, Maintenance "Montelukast has been life-changing for me. Within 3 days of starting the drug, I slept through the night without being woken by a tight chest. It has really improved my asthma control. I was told by the asthma nurse that it works for 50% of people and does nothing for the other 50%, I would know within a week. I have felt more anxious, but this has been helped by 50 mg of sertraline. I am better than I have been in years."

• Wor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2016

Montelukast for Allergic Rhinitis "I wish I had reported this to the FDA when it happened. I don't know how helpful my account of the side effects from years ago would be now. However, I would like to share this somewhere, as what I experienced is not verified as a side effect but possibly suspected-I don't want anyone to go through what I went through and not suspect this medication. After taking one dose of Singulair in the evening, the next day, I experienced suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and a feeling as if I were being separated from my body (if that makes sense). I have no history of such problems, never took Singulair again, and never experienced what I described again (as I said before, it has now been years since I took Singulair)."

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2022

Montelukast for Allergic Rhinitis "I took Singulair last summer and was so excited that it worked. But I started displaying side effects like anxiety, panic attacks, and a feeling of wanting to cause harm to myself. I stopped taking it for several weeks, then tried it again, same side effects. I was quite upset because it actually helped the sinus problem."

• Oki...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 6, 2022

Montelukast for Asthma "To the moms reading these reviews because your kid is taking this medicine but you can tell something isn’t right and wonder if it’s Singulair-listen to yourself. My son was on Singulair from the age of 5 until 19. While it did help his asthma, the side effects are not worth it. As a child, he could never sleep, had tremors, sweated like crazy, had anxiety and depression. Watch your child when they get to high school because something can change at that age and it seems the depression gets worse, suicidal thoughts began. My son stopped his meds on his own. Felt a lot better. Started having asthma issues, so he started it again at college for a couple of weeks. He is old enough now to be able to identify his feelings. He told me he stopped taking it and will never take it again because it made him suicidal."

• npj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 29, 2021

For Asthma "First of all, this was not the first drug recommended by the pulmonologist since a bout of bronchitis a year and a half ago. I'm very sensitive to most meds. The hope is the benefits outweigh the side effects. Well, they did not for me. Barely lasted three days on this. Heavy nausea and tiredness in the first 24 hours. Yes, that did subside a little, but there were other concerning issues. Nightmares, increasing anxiety, deep negative feeling, increasing stomach issues, increasing asthmatic pressure in the mornings. Pretty sure it made the nose runny, too, because of course it did. Just did not help at all. I just stopped it and pinged the doctor, who agreed. The side effects subsided after about a day."

• Try...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2013

For Allergic Rhinitis "I have been having chronic sinus infections due to allergies for the last year and a half. I finally went to an ENT who prescribed this medicine along with my current regimen (Allegra D, Flonase, Neti Pot). I have been on this medicine for about a week now, and I am unusually irritable and easily aggravated. I can tell that it's getting worse, as today I started developing anxiety along with it. I am not going to take it tonight and call the doctor in the morning. I saw on the label about mood issues and depression, but this is more like taking a stress amplifier. If I had complete relief from the allergies, I would consider continuing, but I haven't noticed an improvement, I still have extensive postnasal. Glad to see I'm not the only one."

• sue...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 17, 2020

For Allergic Rhinitis "My doctor gave me montelukast for allergies and I have been on it for about a year. I recently stopped taking it because I've noticed I'm getting leg cramps at night in bed, my entire body just hurts. My anxiety is through the roof, and my mood has been bad - everything and everyone irritates me. It makes me breathless when walking and I cough a lot more. I didn't take one last night, and I feel more relaxed today."

• Dau...
• April 30, 2015

For Asthma "I started this medicine about 5 years ago. Sometime in December of 2014, I started experiencing terrible separation anxiety, general anxiety, and depression symptoms. After about three months of my boyfriend helping me work through these experiences, I remembered that this medicine has possible side effects listed as mood changes. On my last visit to the doctor in the second week of April, my doctor took me off this medicine. Since I stopped, my side effects have mostly subsided. I've always been an emotional person, but I'm no longer having massive screaming, crying, crippling breakdowns. I'm 17, it worked great for my asthma, but the cost (my mental health) outweighed the gain."

• Ann...
• May 7, 2018

For Asthma "I have problems with steroid inhalers, so my GP tried this as an alternative. I have a history of mental health issues and self-harm. At the time I took this medication, I was okay mentally. From the first pill, I had anxiety attacks (unusual for me) within an hour, with a very fast heartbeat (110+ bpm), confusion, a feeling of detachment, fear, and paranoia. I woke up in the night feeling frightened, disturbed, dizzy. By day 4, I was off the rails, screaming at my partner and losing the plot, I threw out the TV and wouldn't let anyone touch me. At one point, my heart rate was 175 bpm as I was running around the house stuffing my possessions in bin bags because they made me angry. This is the worst reaction I have ever had, including to psychoactive drugs like antidepressants and epilepsy meds."

• Ann...
• May 7, 2018

For Asthma "I have problems with steroid inhalers, so my GP tried this as an alternative. I have a history of mental health issues and self-harm. At the time I took this medication, I was okay mentally. From the first pill, I had anxiety attacks (unusual for me) within an hour, with a very fast heartbeat (110+ bpm), confusion, a feeling of detachment, fear, and paranoia. I woke up in the night feeling frightened, disturbed, dizzy. By day 4, I was off the rails, screaming at my partner and losing the plot, I threw out the TV and wouldn't let anyone touch me. At one point, my heart rate was 175 bpm as I was running around the house stuffing my possessions in bin bags because they made me angry. This is the worst reaction I have ever had, including to psychoactive drugs like antidepressants and epilepsy meds."

• Mom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 23, 2022

For Asthma "When my daughter was 4, she started this medication for her asthma. Shortly after, I noticed she would have more agitation, aggression, she developed small tics like ripping her hair out, cleaning between her toes, saying weird words just to say them. I honestly thought, she’s 4, maybe this is normal stuff. Well, she is 9 now, and she is suffering anxiety, OCD, obsessive unwanted thoughts, confession OCD—> she tells me things like, “I hope I didn’t scratch the wall, stupid middle finger, I thought something bad.” It was honestly a little odd, and it increased significantly this last week or so. It is now onto having suicidal thoughts and meltdowns, trouble going to sleep. She is not herself, and I’m terrified for her. I will be taking her in to see if we can get off this medicine. PLEASE, if you are considering giving this to your child, see if there are other options. My daughter is suffering because I didn’t take the steps I should’ve a long time ago."

• SMP...
• April 29, 2019

For Allergic Rhinitis "Oh my, reading these comments is making me sick to my stomach... My allergist put me on Montelukast to help with sneezing about 6-7 weeks ago. Although it has helped with that, my mental health has declined rapidly. I have severe anxiety, am unable to sleep on most days without a sleep aid, I cry often, am angry, had my first panic attack, and am constantly arguing with my husband and mother for no reason. If it weren’t for such loving and understanding family members, I’m sure my husband would have left me and my mother would have disowned me. I work with HCPs (Health Care Practitioners) in the community, and one nurse practitioner friend/colleague warned me about the side effects because she and her daughter had the same issues. I disregarded them since my allergist blew the mental health claims off like they were extremely rare and it would be unlikely that it would happen. I took my last dose yesterday, flushed the rest down the toilet, and called my PCP to ask him to place me back on antidepressants at least until this passes!"

• Mon...
• June 8, 2017

For Allergic Rhinitis "I was on the brand Singulair 10 mg for a month. It was helping, and everything was fine with no side effects. I ordered a refill, and I got the generic. I took it for 4 days. Since day 1, I was feeling a bit weak, I thought it might just be a bad day. Then on day 2, it started increasing. I took the pill for 4 days and then stopped it. I had really bad anxiety and am not able to concentrate. I have a lot of bilateral head pressure and brain fog. My doctor, while prescribing this medicine, did not tell me any of these side effects. I have decided to do research on a drug before taking it. This is a clear case where the doctor is not aware of the side effects. 2 days off, still have anxiety and brain fog."

• Sou...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 21, 2016

For Allergic Rhinitis "I am a senior citizen. Took Singulair for 2 years. In that time, I have suffered from persistent anxiety (felt like I was going to explode), something I never had before, and was also having weird dreams. I was sent to a psychiatrist, was told I was depressed, and given antidepressants. But I knew it was something chemical. Finally, I searched for 'Singulair + anxiety' and found many other people had had problems. Within 3 days of discontinuing the medication, I felt pretty much 'normal.' I would rather have the runny nose/sneezing than that terrible anxiety!"

• ora...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2016

For Asthma, Maintenance "Taking montelukast for a week now, and I do notice improvement with my asthma. However, the side effects are not worth dealing with. Right away, I started having crazy dreams every night while on it. I also felt very anxious. As much as it did help with my asthma, I will not continue to take it. I will be just fine with just the Advair Disk."

• Par...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 16, 2017

For Allergic Rhinitis "I have been on this medicine since early spring, so probably about 4 months straight now, for my severe allergies, and it has helped with them. However, I have noticed some major mood swings and depression. I started getting dark thoughts (regarding only myself), and I will sit in a ball and cry for hours and worry about the dumbest things. It's been giving me anxiety attacks, which I have never had before. It is HORRIBLE. I am glad that I am not going crazy. I see that unfortunately, other people are reacting the same way. Last night was my last time taking the med. I hope it gets out of my body FAST!!!! Don't take this medicine!!"

• Cut...
• July 24, 2018

For Asthma "Went to urgent care for breathing troubles. The nurse did a breathing treatment and prescribed me a rescue inhaler, Zpac for inflammation, cetirizine, and montelukast (Singulair). I was pregnant at the time. All the drugs were B-rated or above except for the Singulair - a D for pregnancy. I was hesitant about this drug therefore from the start. I took it for about a week with no improvements. I woke up with a headache each day and experienced throat tightness and labored breathing - not asthma wheeziness from it. One night my throat got very tight, so I took the rescue inhaler and saw no improvement. I went to the ER. The doc determined I had an anxiety reaction and not an asthma attack as my breathing sounded very clear. That night I decided to ditch the Singulair and never take it again in my life. This drug caused more breathing troubles and anxiety in less than a week. I'm so glad I went with my instinct and quit the drug to protect me and my unborn child."

• Big...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2019

For Allergic Rhinitis "Took Montelukast for 4 weeks. Experienced extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, anxiety, tooth pain. Stopped taking for 3 weeks and then tried taking it again. Stopped again after 1 week due to extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, anxiety, bad shortness of breath, and a few other side effects. At this point, I am hoping my shortness of breath heals itself. So far, it's been almost 1 week since I stopped taking it, and I am still short of breath. Does anybody know if my breathing will return to normal? Because I'm a bit worried."

• Pat...
• April 18, 2020

For Allergic Rhinitis "Only day 2 of taking this drug and thankful that I remembered that taking a new med could be the culprit when having symptoms. This site validated my concerns. I woke up and was very tired in such a way that I didn't connect it to a medication. I began getting very anxious and with some slight undercurrent of something negative. My always stuffy nose became worse, and I felt flushed. I am unable to sleep. I was going to try to make it until day 3, but after seeing these experiences, I don't see anything positive in my taking this med. I cannot wait to get it out of my system."

• Ast...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2018

For Asthma "I have to say that if it weren't for the side effects, I'd love this drug. This is my second time trying it, and I love how it helped my asthma. I could breathe so much better while taking it. However, both times I've attempted to take this medication, I've gone on the brink of psychosis, and I don't think I've ever truly recovered. Quick to snap, super angry. I tasted metal, and the first time I took it, I couldn't leave my bed, I was so anxious. I wish this medication was for me, but I can't risk losing control like that. Remember, not everyone reacts the same, so don't go in fearful. Go in hopeful, with the knowledge that this could happen, but that doesn't mean they will."

• LEa...
• October 10, 2019

For Allergic Rhinitis "Warning: please do not let your children take this medicine, montelukast, if they develop mental health side effects - anxiety, depression, etc. It may not affect them the same, but it has caused my daughter no end of problems, including suicidal thoughts and much more. Montelukast has been effective in the polyps reduction, but I warn anyone not to put your child through what mine has gone through. Warnings are now being sent out to various medical practices about the side effects that were never mentioned at the time."