Montelukast and Depression: What Users Say

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2020

Montelukast for Allergic Rhinitis "I was given this medication, Singulair, for chronic nasal congestion and rhinitis. After about 2 months, I started to notice my mood changing. I was more argumentative, almost to the point of aggression. When I started to have bizarre dreams, I then researched the side effects of this drug. Here is what was listed: mental/mood changes (such as agitation, aggression, anxiety, trouble sleeping, abnormal dreams, sleep-walking, memory/attention problems, depression, hallucinations, thoughts of harming yourself/suicide). I immediately stopped taking this medication (it wasn't helping that much anyway) and these side effects have stopped completely. PLEASE be mindful of ALL the side effects of any medications you are taking! I never would have believed that something to help with nasal congestion could cause such problems."

• Mad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 2, 2020

Montelukast for Asthma "While on this medication, my asthma and allergies were almost non-existent. However, I also developed severe depression that almost took my life, anxiety, became easily agitated, and had pain in my mouth and back. Since I stopped, I feel happier, more patient, less sore, but my allergies have come back. If it weren't for the side effects, I would have kept taking it."

• Meg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 22, 2019

For Asthma "Yes, the anxiety and depression are absolute side effects of montelukast. The weight gain and the anger too. I think if you are a younger person at all or a woman who already gets mood swings or related side effects from birth control, stay away from montelukast!"

• Kdu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2015

Montelukast for Asthma "Started Singulair approximately 1 week ago. I will say it's an asthma miracle, but the side effects are unreal. I had extreme irritability (out of character for me), severe fatigue when normally active, mood changes, depression, anxiety. I wish doctors would really explain this to new users. Thanks to all of you who reviewed this medicine and gave me insight on what was going on, that's the reason for my post too."

• Gre...
• May 2, 2014

For Asthma, Maintenance "I've had asthma all my life, and after 14 years, montelukast was introduced to aid my other medication. For a year and a half, my asthma was controlled, and then my dosage was doubled because I turned 16. After the increased dosage, my mental health worsened, and after dealing with terrible anxiety and depression for 18 months, I realized that it fitted with the time period that I'd been taking this and was worsened with increased dosage. It had all been side effects. The extra montelukast was a tipping point in my mental health, and I became suicidal. I stopped using this immediately, and my parents got me help. After 6 months, I had recovered. I share this in the hope that it prevents the same thing from happening."

• BLa...
• January 17, 2020

For Asthma "I’ve had mild asthma since childhood. Despite this, I smoked for 25+ years and quit on Aug 11th, 2010. I’m 53, and I’ve tried nearly every nebulizer treatment, daily maintenance, and long-term bronchodilator. Singulair/Montelukast was prescribed to me for no reason other than one day my pulmonologist said, ‘it couldn’t hurt’. Boy, was he wrong! By the time I realized it was likely causing a bad side effect, I was popping Ativan like candy. I had an overwhelming sense of dread! Like fear, sadness, anxiety, and terror all rolled up into one. I write this review because I want everyone to realize the possibility. I have been off of the drug for nearly a month now, and I’m back to normal! In my opinion, if you want something to truly control your asthma, just use Symbicort! It works better than anything I’ve tried in my lifetime."

• Dit...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 17, 2019

Montelukast for Asthma "I was on Singulair for a couple of years, and I have depression with tremors/muscle spasms. Since stopping the meds, the pain in my back next to my lungs has returned but depression is getting better. Tremors are still happening after 2 weeks of not being on this."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2018

Montelukast for Allergic Rhinitis "This drug is not for everyone. I took it for just three days and got very depressed, even to the point of having really dark thoughts, had a constant headache, an upset stomach, deep soreness in my teeth, mood swings, and irritability. However, it did help my allergies. Be very conscious of how you feel when you try this drug."

• MM ...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 10, 2018

Montelukast for Allergic Rhinitis "I am a parent of two children. Both children took Singulair for allergies. Both children had issues while taking Singulair and experienced withdrawal effects once I stopped the medication. My daughter developed tics, tremors, anger, rage, OCD, anxiety, mood swings, and agitation, to name a few side effects. My son developed frequent urination, muscle issues, joint pain, and sadness. Both my children developed a hypersensitivity to all artificial sweeteners, dyes, and all emulsifiers/preservatives as the inactive ingredients are made up of most of these items. Their hypersensitivity to artificial sweeteners, dyes, and emulsifiers/preservatives still continues even though they stopped the medicine."

• dun...
• January 6, 2012

Montelukast for Asthma, Maintenance "I took this medication a few years back. Although I read the side effects, I never imagined that I would have a bad reaction to the medication. This medication worked great in controlling my asthma. However, I became very depressed, suffered from anxiety, and just not me. It didn't happen immediately, but people started noticing a difference. I started noticing a difference. I never had a history of any of that stuff. After I came off the medication, I was back to being me. For me, the side effects weren't worth it."

• Cyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2022

Montelukast for Allergic Rhinitis "My dr warned me Singulair had a black box warning due to sometimes causing depression and suicidal symptoms, but I wasn’t concerned. I am a psychotherapist and don’t usually have side effects to meds. Shortly after taking Singulair, I began to feel agitated and depressed. I felt negative and paranoid. Then one day I thought, “What is the point of living?” I remembered my dr mentioning the black box warning and stopped taking Singulair. My mood improved dramatically each day I was off Singulair. Please be careful."

• Gco...
• October 19, 2016

Montelukast for Allergic Rhinitis "My wife was on this stuff for at least a couple of years. She suffered severe tiredness, nightmares, irritability, and even suicidal thoughts, accompanied by severe depression! Although it did make her feel better, the side effects are not worth it at all! She switched to Flonase, and it is just as good. Please, if you are on this medicine and have any of these side effects, please stop!"

• suf...
• March 28, 2021

Montelukast for Asthma "On this medication, I could finally sleep at night, literally. It helped so much with my asthma and my allergies. I could take deep breaths again. I needed my inhaler much less. But unfortunately, like many others, after three months of taking this (it takes time to build up in your system), I developed severe depression and I was very suicidal. Thankfully, I have a support system that I alerted of this possible side effect, and they were there for me. I went to my doctor, and she advised to stop taking it (as I uncontrollably cried in the office), and I felt better within a week of being off it. Don’t let my experience scare you, because I really went back to normal as soon as I got off it. I have yet to find a new medication that makes my asthma/allergy so nonexistent!"

• Pat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 10, 2012

Montelukast for Asthma "Singulair is an effective medicine, but it can have significant side effects. I experience a foggy head and depressed mood. I have also experienced muscle cramps in my back while on this. I have noticed, in reading through the comments, that quite a few people are suffering from some form of side effect from this medicine. One recommendation: I talked to my doctor about cutting the dose in half, from 10 mg to 5 mg. I now take a children's 5 mg tablet. I still get relief but don't experience the same level of side effects."

• Xxo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2015

For Asthma "This medicine was poison to me. I had it prescribed to me following a mild allergic reaction to a bug bite. I have suffered from mild anxiety in the past, but within a month of taking Singulair, I went from mild to severe. Panic attacks, crying for no reason, racing thoughts, overall feelings of hopelessness. I was at the end of my rope after a particularly bad panic attack when my husband suggested it might be my medication. At first, I didn't believe it, because it was an allergy medicine... how bad could it be? Imagine my surprise when I looked it up and saw there are many, many people suffering the exact same side effects as me! I immediately stopped taking the drug, and now, 48 hours later, I can't even believe how normal I feel. Sure, the allergies are back, but I'll be thankful for every sneeze if it means I don't have to suffer the psychological effects of this drug. I would strongly caution anyone considering taking this medicine (especially if it is for a child) to do your research beforehand and make sure someone you love is monitoring your behavior. For me, it was a terrifying drug, and I am so glad I listened to my husband."

• Gro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2013

Montelukast for Allergic Rhinitis "I have tried Singulair three different times. Each time it has caused suicidal tendencies in me. This happens soon after I take it. My mood was very scary on this. I was prescribed this for asthma and allergies. I stopped taking it since it seemed to just depress me."

• Gme...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 19, 2019

For Allergic Rhinitis "DO NOT GIVE THIS MEDICATION MONTELUKAST TO CHILDREN!! I never write reviews. I am writing this one because NO child should have to endure what my child went through on this medication. Dark thoughts, rage, tantrums, depression, unable to sleep, night terrors. Years of going from specialist to specialist trying to figure the cause and treatment. Finally found a doctor that said to stop the Singulair. My child is grown now. This drug stole his childhood. I know they say that you should take these reviews with a grain of salt because there are a million people out there benefiting from this drug not writing reviews. Not ONE person should have their brain function impacted this severely from a medication. And children can’t always verbalize how they are feeling. Please think twice before giving this drug to your children. There are support groups on social media regarding these horrific side effects. Thousands of parents recounting similar side effects and worse. Some child/teen suicides."

• Biz...
• October 8, 2014

For Asthma "After taking this medicine for 2 months for mild asthma, I noticed a change in my mental health. I have stopped this medicine after linking my side effects to this med. I noticed anxiety, depression, thoughts of hurting myself, dizziness, and nausea became oh so real. I have never suffered from these before in my life until this med. I have been off of it for almost 2 weeks and not looking back. Gonna go forward and hope I recover from these side effects. I'm sure it's great for someone who doesn't get side effects, but it's not for me."

• Ast...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2013

Montelukast for Asthma "Went to the hospital during an asthma attack. I was only on albuterol, and it was not working during this episode. Long story short, I got prescribed Singulair. Made me feel very sleepy at first. I could barely get my college work done. After about two months, I became very depressed from being so tired, and then became extremely thirsty. I drank two bottles of water every hour and could feel my lungs becoming irritated. I was drinking so much water I was getting nauseous. I then went to my MD, and he told me to stop taking it. After three days, my thirst went away. After about two weeks, I felt myself again. Singulair is now listed on my doctor's chart under 'medicine allergies.'"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 21, 2012

Montelukast for Asthma "This really did help with my allergies and asthma symptoms I sometimes experienced. I took this for 2 years and never on a daily basis, but as needed (when my allergies would act up). It took me a while to figure this out, but I have now determined that when taking this medicine, I am very lethargic the next day, depressed feeling, and extremely agitated. For a while, I had just concluded I was a moody person, but after taking one, seeing how I felt, and then going off of it, I put two and two together. Literally, the next day without the pill, I feel back to my old self. So though it did help for allergies, for me, the pros don't outweigh the cons."

• Boo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 9, 2020

Montelukast for Asthma "I was on Singulair for many years. It helped allergies and asthma significantly. However, I also had a significant problem with depression. My doctor told me to stop taking it when she read about the correlation with depression. After a few weeks, I felt so much better mood-wise, but my allergy and asthma symptoms are that much worse. I was already taking Zyrtec (it has now been raised to a double dose), Flonase, Azelastin (a recent addition), Sudafed as needed, and Chlorpheniramine as needed. Doubling the Zyrtec was supposed to eliminate the need for the last two, but the taste of Azelastin is so unpleasant that the urge to just go back to Sudafed is very strong. I'm resisting because of age and HBP. The sinus clog/drip is ever-present. Retiring to Delaware has been great for our finances, very tough on allergies/asthma, slightly worse than Northern Virginia. And I hear there's really no place to 'hide.'"

• Ksu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2018

For Asthma "I have been taking montelukast for three months. I persisted with the vivid nightmares, irritability, anxiety, and depression because it was so effective for my asthma. Family, friends, and work colleagues noticed my mood change and my inability to be happy. The weight gain was another unwanted side effect. The prolonged and worsening side effects have forced me to stop taking it."

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2019

For Asthma "I experienced horrific side effects from this drug. After about 4 days of taking it, I developed anxiety and depression, body aches, and an extreme feeling of tiredness. I stopped taking it right away, but I had flu-like symptoms for the next 5 days or so, where I could not even get out of bed. I'm now on day 9 off the drug, and am slowly getting back to myself but still feeling quite tired, sleepy, and anxious."

• Gat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2020

For Allergic Rhinitis "I can't believe that montelukast was the reason I was feeling so depressed, anxious, even my legs so shaky. I didn't understand why I was so moody and trying to isolate myself from my family. After reading the reviews for this medication, I realized I wasn't alone. I'm going to stop this medication today. Please stop taking this medication if you start developing anxiety or depression and ask your doctor for something else. Good luck, everybody!"

• Mat...
• June 17, 2013

For Asthma "This review will not completely apply to most people as I am bipolar II and am extremely sensitive to some kinds of medicines. It normally takes me a very long time to fall asleep (sometimes until dawn), but once I am, I stay asleep and get plenty of rest. On Singulair, I once couldn't fall asleep until about 12:00 in the afternoon after going to bed at 11:00 pm the night before, and I would often wake up multiple times while sleeping. My anxiety was much higher, I was significantly more depressed, and my previously very well-stabilized mood was once again destabilized. I also had some water retention, weight gain. Was absolutely amazing for my asthma though, so I guess that's something. Really wish it played nice with my sleep and bipolar."