Montelukast and Vivid Dreams: 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."

• jlw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2019

Montelukast for Asthma "1.5 months on Singulair and so far very happy. I have not had asthma flare-up since beginning Singulair. This is a big deal for me after 1 year of regular flare-ups. I rarely need to use my Ventolin, still on Breo daily. I can breathe through my nose which is very new for me :) The earlier reviews scared me, but so far no issues with anxiety. I did have some weird dreams at first, but that has lessened. I'm very glad for the progress so far."

• Lok...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 29, 2020

For Asthma "Went on montelukast for mild asthma. It did seem to help me breathe easier, certainly less wheezing. Experienced very intense, vivid dreams - definitely attribute those to this medication because I guess it crosses the blood-brain barrier. Mood was about the same. The reason I stopped taking this was I noticed a weight change (increase) that began around the same time I started the medication. I stopped gaining weight and began losing the 15 lbs I packed on almost immediately after stopping this medication."

• Ash...
• August 8, 2017

Montelukast for Asthma "I started taking generic Singulair on 7/26/17. By 8/02/17, I started having vivid dreams only at bedtime and every night until today when I called my doctor and got the medication changed. For just under a week, every single night, I couldn't tell if I was awake or dreaming. The first night it happened, I was cuddled up with my husband, sleeping on his chest, and I woke myself up snoring. When I apologized to my husband for snoring so loud, he said I wasn't snoring. I fell asleep again within ten minutes and thought I was still awake, I swore I saw a spider on the sheets by my face on my husband. I jumped up, yelling 'spider!', woke myself up, and freaked out my husband because there was no spider, I had dreamt the whole thing. It only got worse."

• Mom...
• November 14, 2018

For Asthma "I took montelukast for about 8 months, and that’s when my nightmare began. I was so anxious and crying all the time with vivid dreams. It really did help my asthma, but the side effects make you feel like you are losing your mind. I am 42 years old and have always been active, happy, and the first to be up to do anything. It has been 4 months since I stopped taking this horrible medicine, and I am just beginning to feel back to my old self. I warn everyone, please be careful with this medicine. It works to control your asthma, but be aware of your mood changes and tell your doctor right away."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2012

Montelukast for Asthma, Maintenance "Completely effective for asthma maintenance, side effects - insomnia, weird dreams when able to sleep, headaches, and nosebleeds. Only took for 4 weeks. Unfortunately, now after stopping it, have limited lifestyle (Singulair gave me back a life)."

• Wei...
• May 30, 2021

For Asthma "I never had any asthma until I moved into a house with mold (green, black mold). After one year, I got my first asthma attack in the morning. After three years, I had more attacks in the morning while I was sleeping. I got a bad cough, woke up, and couldn't breathe anymore. A couple of weeks later, I got bad bronchitis. I couldn't breathe normally, walking steps was almost impossible. I was thinking it would go away. After two weeks, it was so bad that I went to a doctor. She said, 'Oh my goodness, how can you breathe? Your lungs are full of mucus.' She gave me an injection so I could breathe normally again. She also gave me Seretide and Montelukast. I recovered after I moved to a new house without mold. After one year in the new house, my symptoms were almost gone. But I lost my smell and taste, had a stuffy nose all the time, crazy dreams, fatigue, gained almost 30 pounds, had stomach pain, dizziness, and numb arms and hands when I rode my Ninja. Thanks to God, I found this website. I will immediately stop Montelukast now."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2013

For Asthma, Maintenance "My doctor put me on this, hoping it would help a chronic cough that I have had for the past four months. While I think it is helping, the side effects are just too strong for me. I take the medication at night since it makes me tired, but the sleepiness lasts all day. However, I am not getting much sleep because I keep having strange dreams that wake me up all night long. On top of that, I have started to have anxiety."

• jba...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 1, 2019

For Asthma "My daughter is 4 years old and developed these behaviors over the course of 18 months. We were not informed about any of these side effects, and no monitoring was done either. Extreme fear, eczema, vivid nightmares, extreme fear of sleeping, facial infections, sleep disturbance, bedwetting, burning genitals and eyes, anxiety, depression, aggression/hostility, attention problems, bad dreams, hallucinations, hearing voices, irritability, memory problems, headaches, sore throat, cough, stomach pain, skin infections, runny nose, itching genitals, confusional state, crying inconsolable, difficulty concentrating, difficulty drawing, intentional self-harm, irrational fear of the dark, growling and hissing. We assumed all this was normal behavior for our, at the time, 2-3-year-old daughter. I wouldn't recommend this drug at all without proper monitoring."

• jba...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 1, 2019

For Asthma "My daughter is 4 years old and developed these behaviors over the course of 18 months. We were not informed about any of these side effects, and no monitoring was done either. Extreme fear, eczema, vivid nightmares, extreme fear of sleeping, facial infections, sleep disturbance, bedwetting, burning genitals and eyes, anxiety, depression, aggression/hostility, attention problems, bad dreams, hallucinations, hearing voices, irritability, memory problems, headaches, sore throat, cough, stomach pain, skin infections, runny nose, itching genitals, confusional state, crying inconsolable, difficulty concentrating, difficulty drawing, intentional self-harm, irrational fear of the dark, growling and hissing. We assumed all this was normal behavior for our, at the time, 2-3-year-old daughter. I wouldn't recommend this drug at all without proper monitoring."

• Kur...
• June 19, 2017

For Asthma "I had my first asthma attack when I was 30 (13 years ago), and each year it got worse to the point where I would have 6 attacks a day, and my puffers would not work. I took this drug, and my attacks do not exist anymore. I am an avid athlete, and I am no longer hindered. Back in February, I struggled to get my breath, and I was on my way to the emergency room, that is when I got this pill prescribed to me, and it has been a Godsend! I don't have the sleep issues others have mentioned here, I never really slept the best to start with, but no changes. No crazy dreams. I have never been more pleased."

• Ton...
• April 30, 2018

For Asthma "DO NOT USE SINGULAIR IF YOU HAVE HAD PAST PROBLEMS WITH DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY. Here's my story. I was put on Singulair when younger, so I decided to ask my GP to put me on it again (22 now). It helped with my asthma a lot, but I had to stop after 2 weeks as I was getting bad dreams and had heard that to be a side effect. So I went back on the inhaler and decided to only use Singulair when doing vigorous activities. I took one yesterday, and the dreams came back, and I also woke up today in a bad mood. I decided to take another pill today to keep the asthma under control while working, and within an hour I was easily irritated, depressed, and anxious. This continued, and these emotions amplified until I was extremely angry. At the time, I didn't know what was going on, so I got even more emotional and ended in a dark downward spiral. I've dealt with depression in the past, so I just assumed it was 'one of those days.' It wasn't until I googled Singulair and mood that I realized it was the Singulair."

• Kel...
• August 3, 2017

For Asthma "I give this half a rating. I have chronic asthma, and after nearly dying from an asthma attack, I was prescribed Singulair along with Symbicort. This medication has absolutely helped me. I've been on it for over 3 months now. It really does help reverse the effects of asthma. Unfortunately, it gives me some of the worst anxiety I have ever experienced. I tried taking it in the morning, but the entire day I would feel unbelievably anxious. If I take it before bed, I have the worst, most vivid nightmares. This medication affects everyone differently, of course, my only advice is to try it out for yourself."

• vin...
• September 23, 2015

For Asthma "My doctor was aware of my history of and treatment for anxiety and panic attacks when she prescribed this for me. She directed that it be taken in the evening before bed, and I don't know why that is. There have been 2 or 3 times when I forgot to take it, so I took it the next morning. I found that on the following nights, I had very strange dreams, woke to a panic attack, and had difficulty going back to sleep. Since I have put that together, I have made sure to take the medicine at night, and I haven't had any more problems."

• pri...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 17, 2025

Montelukast for Asthma, Maintenance "Fantastic for asthma and allergies and sleep apnea. I took this for years, and I remember telling the doc it was awesome, I never wanted to go off it. Ditched the inhaler and didn't have sinus issues. Sadly, was off it for a year, insurance issue. Back on it and not using the inhaler, and my sleep is 100 percent improved. I used to sleep terribly and had vivid dreams. NOW I sleep!!!"

• But...
• April 28, 2021

For Asthma "When I need to use it during allergy season, it has been fantastic. I heard it gives some people crazy dreams, so I take it in the morning, no problems. Have had zero side effects, and it has been so helpful. I don’t stay on it long - just to get me through the worst of “pollergy” season here in central Florida."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2016

For Allergic Rhinitis "Works great, but the disturbingly vivid dreams are making me feel exhausted. I stopped taking it for a few days, and the dreams stopped. But my breathing worsened. Wish there was something else I could take."

• SRa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2020

Montelukast for Allergic Rhinitis "This stuff is working pretty well on my sinuses/allergies. I feel that I can breathe easier and less morning congestion from sinus drainage. It has been a month since I started using this. I haven't noticed any depression issues. Anxiety issues about the same, normal, I would say. BUT... the crazy freaking dreams are almost every morning, before I wake up. Very vivid. Every night I ask myself, 'What will I dream tonight?' I never dream of anything tragic. But the dreams that I wake up from are definitely anxiety-inducing. I wake myself up because I know I am dreaming. (Weird) I am not exactly sure how else to explain it. I am wondering what kind of long-term negative effect this may have on me."

• Ros...
• November 13, 2020

For Asthma, Maintenance "On montelukast, I had headaches, restlessness, restless leg, and acid reflux got worse. My whole body ached. Then I started having dreams. It felt like these vivid dreams would last all night. I was falling asleep earlier and waking up later. Sleeping 10+ hours and woke feeling I had not slept at all. The dreams turned into vivid nightmares waking me. I was exhausted. I was in a constant fog, and my brain and body didn't want to function. I stopped montelukast 6 days ago. I don't feel normal yet. Still dreaming and tired, but the dreams are less vivid and not scary. I'm still sore and worn out, and I've had an achy stomach since I stopped, but I'm not sure if it's an effect of this. The only positive is it did help with the asthma, and now that I stopped, I can feel it again. I will take asthma over the effects of this medication any day, though. I am giving a negative rating since the terrible side effects so greatly outweigh the benefits. It completely destroyed my quality of life by the end period of taking this."

• 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!"

• cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2016

For Asthma, Maintenance "I decided to try Montelukast (generic of Singulair) after a severe bout of cough/flu aggravated by my asthma, which lasted for well over 8 weeks. Initially, I had a very bad headache for at least a week, unabating, and the unusual fatigue and tiredness, regardless of what activity I did. The headache dissipated, but the lethargy has continued, and I never felt like I regained the energy I used to have. So this is very disturbing. I had hoped that after persisting with it for 4-5 months, I would feel better, but I don't. The tiredness pretty much starts almost immediately after I have taken the tablet in the evening. The other thing which is annoying is the stupid, senseless dreams, which I find very hard to wake up from!"

• 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."

• Sdl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2017

For Allergic Rhinitis "I have chronic postnasal drip. I have had no success with OTC allergy meds. My ENT decided to try generic Singulair. First night I was wide awake all night and had uncontrollable muscle tremors and twitches. The next day I had a headache, stomach ache, heartburn, and terribly dizzy. Next night I had difficulty sleeping, terrible vivid nightmares, night sweats. Woke with a low fever, as well as all those other symptoms, felt teary for no reason. Thought I had the flu, but when looking up if 'sweats and nightmares' are Singulair side effects, I found all my issues were! Tried to stay with Singulair as I knew it was one that needs to build up, but after a week and no effect on my drip, it was too awful to bear anymore. Was not good for me, unfortunately."

• 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!!"