Montelukast and Depression: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Sca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2021

Montelukast for Allergic Rhinitis "If I could give no stars, I would. It caused me to have suicidal thoughts, and I put a fork to my throat this morning over something stupid, and my mom talked me out of it. I’m not the suicidal type, and Singulair made me want to take my life. I also have had aggression, worse depression, rage, and not giving a rat's booty on what I say to anyone. I talked to my mom like she was a nobody, and I’m not that kind of person. I even cussed my own husband out a couple of times. I would NEVER talk to anyone like that! I was literally scared of myself. I even broke something of my great-great-grandmother's, and it was one of the last objects my mom had of hers. I’m not the violent type at all. I’m hoping within a few days I can start feeling better."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2020

For Allergic Rhinitis "My 13-year-old son began taking it a month ago, and it cleared up his sinus issues pretty quickly. But there has become a downside. Almost overnight, he has become a different person. Moody, agitated, angry, even sad at times, and withdrawn on a daily basis, he was NEVER like this prior. The pill bottle came with warnings with symptoms similar to watch for, so when I realized this was not going away and was getting worse, I took my son off. Unfortunately, about a week off now, it’s almost like he is in withdrawal and even worse than before. I am hoping it gets better with time as he adjusts, it’s very scary. I would recommend no one take this without another person knowing so they can watch for behavior changes!"

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2020

For Allergic Rhinitis "My 13-year-old son began taking it a month ago, and it cleared up his sinus issues pretty quickly. But there has become a downside. Almost overnight, he has become a different person. Moody, agitated, angry, even sad at times, and withdrawn on a daily basis, he was NEVER like this prior. The pill bottle came with warnings with symptoms similar to watch for, so when I realized this was not going away and was getting worse, I took my son off. Unfortunately, about a week off now, it’s almost like he is in withdrawal and even worse than before. I am hoping it gets better with time as he adjusts, it’s very scary. I would recommend no one take this without another person knowing so they can watch for behavior changes!"

• mad...
• February 4, 2016

For Asthma, Maintenance "I didn't see a difference in my 8-year-old's symptoms. She became depressed quickly. She started to say she wanted to die! We discontinued use as soon as we realized it was the meds. Now she's happy again."

• 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!"

• 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!!"

• G-U...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2020

Montelukast for Allergic Rhinitis "I was so happy taking this Singulair medication because it actually worked, however, I did have some stomach pains and some diarrhea. But wow, my allergies were gone! I did get a little depressed on it, but honestly, it was worth it with my allergies gone!"

• 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."

• Ast...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 14, 2016

For Asthma "I have had asthma ever since I was born. Montelukast helps me breathe every day. If I don't take it, I can't breathe, but it causes me severe stomach pains, sometimes anxiety, depression, red blotches on my face, I get the sweats, and nausea. These are some of the long-term effects I suffer with. I would not suggest taking it eternally."

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

For Allergic Rhinitis "Not sure if it's because I started using this medicine at the end of spring (summer not as severe), but so far this has been THE BEST medicine I've tried. If there's a day where I feel like I need something on top, I take Claritin (as recommended by my doctor). I no longer use nasal spray. No more Benadryl making me drowsy. As for side effects, I am normally a bit of an anxious person, and I have seen no increase. Still as happy as can be, no nightmares, no depression. No fatigue, no cold sweats at night, it's been great! However, my menstrual cycle has been the only thing that has DEFINITELY changed. Went from a 28-day cycle to a 35-40 day cycle!! Talk about a lot of confusion when that time came around and nothing happened. I keep close track and am very in tune with my body, and yes, this has definitely changed my cycle. Other than that, I am so thankful I can live more of a normal life. I can't wait to see how it holds up when it comes to sinus infection season."

• Ast...
• May 8, 2016

For Allergic Rhinitis "I was prescribed this about four weeks ago as part of a trial of treatment to help my (as yet) uncontrolled asthma. The nurse said it didn't help everyone, and that's true for me - I might as well have been taking sweeties! Unfortunately, though, I have suffered very badly with side effects - notably depression and suicidal thoughts - which I only realized last night after rereading the patient information. I am glad it's worked for others, but sadly, it's not for me..."

• Sam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 7, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "DO NOT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD TAKE THIS!!!!! I was one of those who swore by this drug at first because it was helping my asthma. But then I slowly noticed a lack of energy, insomnia, depression, mood swings, lighter, shorter periods, etc. All of which could not be explained even with countless tests. Then I started having weird dreams, then came the night sweats, and then the WORST symptom of all, PANCREATITIS!! Which again the doctors were confused as to why I developed this all of a sudden with no cause. I don’t smoke, don’t drink, don’t do drugs, yet somehow my pancreas enzymes were through the roof. I couldn’t eat or drink without having pain, I went down to eating once a day only to take my meds at night. The nausea, vomiting, and pain were unbearable. As of 11/04/2021, an ER doctor recommended I stop taking Singulair as it was the only thing linked to all my other symptoms. The doctors are hopeful my pancreas will recover and my other symptoms will subside. DON'T TAKE THIS!!"

• Tre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2016

For Asthma, Maintenance "This medication is extremely effective. Well, on it for the very first time, I did not get seasonal asthma or bronchitis. However, I've been uncharacteristically sad and emotional. I've been talking to my friends about it because I can't understand why I'm being so emotional and sensitive. Today, I looked at the bottle and saw the side effects. My emotions became unruly at the same time as I started taking the medication. I will be stopping it immediately."

• not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2020

For Allergic Rhinitis "My doctor gave me montelukast for allergies. It makes me sleepy, so I take it at night, and I can breathe better. But the side effects are leg cramps, every muscle hurts, feels like I just want to collapse and cry, can't seem to wake up and get out of bed, depression, anxiety, anger, irritation easily, bloated and gassy. I told my doctor that I stopped taking it, and it affects my mood, and she said that must be what's wrong with my son, he's on it too. I stopped taking it and am just going to do Claritin or Flonase."

• gre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2021

For Asthma "Singulair helped while exercising, I wasn't short of breath while exercising. But a month into taking this medication, it hasn't really helped at all, and I am having side effect symptoms of severe headaches, mouth pain, stomach pain, diarrhea, depression, dread, skin rashes, and tremors. I just couldn't believe that Singulair was causing all my problems. For me, the side effects are not worth it."

• You...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 13, 2018

For Asthma "After several months of needing a rescue inhaler every night, I asked to be put on this drug instead of an inhaler because younger me was afraid of inhaler side effects. This was a horrible choice. I started getting thoughts of death on an almost daily basis for about a year before I tried stopping the montelukast. Within six months, I was feeling much better. Granted, I've had depression in the past, but I do feel like this medication has something to do with this episode. It never really worked for me, so going off it wasn't a huge loss. I'm on Advair 500/50 now, and it's worked beautifully for me; I only have to use my albuterol once or twice a night per week now!"

• C-R...
• June 29, 2017

For Asthma "Prescribed this to help with asthma flaring up at night, but now I use it to control my exercise-induced asthma. Take this 2 hours before exercise, it's like magic. Now I walk, jog, even run 2+ miles a day, and for someone who couldn't even walk for an extended time without their asthma flaring, that's a big deal. When I took this near bedtime, and only near bedtime, I experienced weird/vivid dreams. I actually enjoyed it, but the experience may be much more scary for others, beware taking near bedtime if you're concerned. Also, I've been feeling depressed and irritated often. I've had dark thoughts, I'm not sure it's from montelukast or from outside factors. I've had these feelings before taking it, it's just more often now."

• Tha...
• October 21, 2017

For Allergic Rhinitis "Thank you, guys, for sharing honest reviews! PCP placed me on Montelukast 10 mg a day. Allergies began to lighten up for a while. But OMGOSH, really! Guys, it has got me in such a desperate fight for my well-being! Didn't know why I was feeling so fatigued, depressed, no interest in nothing, and a battle just to get out of bed most days! Had super dark thoughts and awful vivid dreams that I could feel the next days of worthless! Asked the Prayer Group to pray for me! First night I didn't dream that awful dream, but fatigue and depressing thoughts remained! This med is awful for me! No more will I subject myself to this dangerous medicine! From the bottom of my heart, don't expose your well-being to medicine that can affect you in such harmful ways!"

• Dai...
• February 12, 2021

For Allergic Rhinitis "Montelukast ruined my mental health. On days I was actively on it, I was incredibly depressed, had intrusive and suicidal thoughts throughout the day. Mentally, I was in the darkest place possible. I could never concentrate beyond 7 minutes while studying. I also had panic attacks for absolutely no reason. It would randomly come and go with no rational explanation. I felt suicidal every time I was on it. Unfortunately, I was made aware of neuropsychiatric side effects only after the FDA started to include a boxed warning in March of 2020. After I stopped the medication, my mental health significantly improved within a week. I am so glad the damage wasn't permanent. I am perfectly fine now mentally. Montelukast did remove my allergic rhinitis symptoms but gave me depression that lasted for 15 months. If you notice a change in behavior, decreased tolerance, and an inability to concentrate and laziness, please do stop, you don't want to end up depressed."

• Pea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 12, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "I get a lot of relief with my breathing since taking montelukast. I can now breathe deeply, and it’s also helped my rhinitis. The only brand I can tolerate and not suffer side effects is Dr. Reddy’s. Other brands made me feel depressed and very low... especially Singulair."

• jea...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 22, 2025

Montelukast for Allergic Rhinitis "I have taken this for 10 to 15 years and for me it's fantastic. No more asthma, runny stuffy nose, chest congestion. No weird dreams and zero depression, etc. like I've read in other reviews. Not for everyone, obviously. I always take it in the AM. I remember telling my doctor I never want to stop taking this. Changed insurance and didn't take it for a while, and it was like night and day. Immediately was back to the inhalers and hacking up goo every morning and coughing all the time. Went back on it, and in one week I was fine. For me, it's miraculous since it addresses all my symptoms, not just my asthma."

• Aba...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2019

Montelukast for Asthma "I would give this med a zero if allowed. It made me have night terrors, depression, and thoughts of harming myself. I do not recommend it and believe it needs a black box warning."

• Anonymous
• April 27, 2009

Montelukast for Allergic Rhinitis "Tried it and it worked great except for the side effects of depression, anxiety, agitation, depression."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2023

Montelukast for Asthma, Maintenance "I only took Singulair for a couple of days because of the terrible side effects. Nightmares, sadness, aggression, feelings of emptiness, heart palpitations, etc. Singulair is poisonous garbage."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2023

Montelukast for Asthma, Maintenance "I only took Singulair for a couple of days because of the terrible side effects. Nightmares, sadness, aggression, feelings of emptiness, heart palpitations, etc. Singulair is poisonous garbage."