Montelukast for Asthma, Maintenance User Reviews

• JudiA...
• October 29, 2013

Singulair (montelukast) "Have been on Singulair since it came on the market in Aust years ago. I call it my Magic pill with no obvious side effects despite having many other allergies. I didn't find it helped my hay fever though so take 1/2an antihistamine as well in summer when humid and winter when smoke from fires around. I went from high dose cortisone puffers and using Ventolin most of the day still being breathless and wheezing all the time to breathing free within 4 days of starting and off all puffers within the week. Due to cost about a year in was running out so cut down to 1/2 tablet which still left me free of the asthma so then tried a 1/4 and found this still worked, so have continued on this since then. ( to be continued as not enough space)"

• Green...
• May 2, 2014

"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 realised 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."

• CEeCee
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2020

Singulair (montelukast) "I cannot take Singulair. I have asthma. My symptoms are I can't get a full breath. I get very short of breath regardless of if I am sitting or walking. I have a constant runny nose so thought I would try Singulair. I was on it a week and it made my struggling to breathe worse. I stopped taking it and I feel much better. I think singulair made the mucous viscous and hard so I couldn't get rid of it. Hence, my breathing got worse. I get very very fatigued. I m sad as I was hoping this would work for me."

• Ms...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2024

Singulair (montelukast) "I am in disbelief as to how much help this has helped me after MONTHS of trying different inhalers and medications for asthma and struggling to breathe so badly, having to be on steroids so often just to breathe. My Dr. gave me Singulair and within the first 24 hours, I went from having to use my nebulizer every 3/4 hours to using it once. I've been on it for about 3 weeks now and I am no longer needing my inhaler or nebulizer!!! I absolutely can't believe it. It has changed my life for the better."

• Italian...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 22, 2015

Singulair (montelukast) "My 6 yr old son has been in and out of the hospital since he was a baby with breathing problems. He was officially diagnosed with asthma when he was 2. He had been flown to a children's hospital and that's where he was diagnosed. He was put on a Flovent inhaler. This cut down on our ER trips, but not totally. We figured out that his asthma attacks were triggered by wind storms, allergy related things etc. They then put him on Singulair. I call it the Magic Pill!!!! We have not been to the ER in 2 years!! No side effects that we can tell. "

• dunno
• January 6, 2012

Singulair (montelukast) "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"

• Anonymous
• October 25, 2010

Singulair (montelukast) "This medicine worked wonders for my 3 year old's allergies, however, I am in the process of taking him off of it. He has always been a very well-behaved child, soft spoken and very smart. Since he started taking the medication (from the first day) he has been completely unable to sit still, has been chewing on things (something he outgrew a year and a half ago), and has been unable to follow simple directions. He has also been much more aggressive. When I asked him about it, he said (word for word), "It makes me feel wiggly. And when the wiggles start I can't stop them and the house spins and I fall down." I urge parents to keep an eye on their children for behavioral changes always, especially with this medication."

• KCano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2019

Singulair (montelukast) "I was prescribed this to help with asthma control I noticed in a few days that my rhinitis had significantly improved, as well as the constant sensation of mucous at the back of my throat Asthma is generally better controlled I do not think Singulair has helped with my exercise induced bronchospasm as I still take ventolin prior to each cardio session/run."

• SarahT
• February 2, 2015

Singulair (montelukast) "I'm on Singulair for asthma (I've grown out of it mostly) and for allergy/rhinitis maintenance. It works wonders! I also lived in China for two years and it was critical for me managing the monthly colds I would get there. This stuff really keeps congestion and allergies at bay, love it!"

• gutz4...
• March 25, 2009

Singulair (montelukast) "I have had Asthma all my life. This medication CHANGED my life. I have always used albuterol (inhaler and nebulizer) for fast acting relief, along with steroid preventative inhalers. Two years ago when I was diagnosed yet again with pneumonia, my new doctor prescribed Singulair. I am an active person, who likes to run etc. Until Singulair I had never in my lifetime ran without having to use my albuterol both before and after. Not only that, this year I made it through flu season without developing pneumonia. Until I used Singulair I had never known what it felt like to be "normal". To run and exist without having to stop because I was wheezing and couldn't breathe."

• Yuman...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 13, 2013

Singulair (montelukast) "I have been taking Singulair for 10 years. Singulair has virtually made my asthma almost non-existent! I take it every night and rarely have to use my inhaler. Since I also have seasonal allergies, there is usually a short period of time when I find I need a puff from my inhaler, but it's not often. Any and all medications can cause side effects and everyone will have different experiences, but I feel that the risk was worth it! The only real issue I believe may be associated with Singulair is excessive dryness in my nose that causes sores every now and again. I feel comfortable staying on Singulair because being able to breath easily far outweighs the one side effect I have."

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2010

Singulair (montelukast) "My 4 year old son was on this for a year. It worked wonders for his asthma but made him a very violent and aggressive child. We didn't notice the changes in his behavior until he had been on it for over 6 months. His fits of rage became more and more frequent. We finally decided that we would take him off to see if the Singulair was the cause. We noticed changes in him the first day he was off of it. He is back to being my sweet and loving child with no rage and no violence. It is a great drug for those that don't have this side effect."

• Thank...
• November 15, 2015

Singulair (montelukast) "I have been on singular for less than 1 week. I have noticed that with the slightest bump I bruise easily. My mouth is dry but my throat is not closing in. I have been sleeping better and have been more active. Still take allergy medicine occasionally, advair and blue puffer. Wowzers"

• texas...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 12, 2013

Singulair (montelukast) "Singulair has been a blessing for my asthma. However when I was switched to the generic, in October, all of my asthma symptoms came back. Wheezing, shortness of breath, use of inhaler (which I only used prior to exercise) several times a day. My doctor has written me a prescription for brand Singulair. The pharmacy gave me the three pills they had in stock and ordered the rest to come in tomorrow. I did the same thing a few weeks ago with another pharmacy and their distributor no longer carries the brand. Hopefully this will not happen again tomorrow and I can go back on the brand Singulair. Since the problem with the generic I have been on Prednisone, Symbicort and two nasal spray to try and get my asthma under control."

• Ashly
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 18, 2020

"Think LONG and HARD before you take this stuff!! I ended up in the psych hospital on suicide watch!!!! I’ve never had mental health problems in all of my 64 years. I am/was a successful, healthy and articulate attorney/professor/writer/dancer. The bizarre nightmares/paranoia/hallucinations became so severe they thought I had schizophrenia. I lost my job and almost lost my husband. My doctor doesn’t believe this was caused by the Singulair but ALL of the symptoms slowly went away in the 6 months after I quit taking it. Sadly I’m not sure I’ll ever be the same person. My cognitive ability has greatly suffered."

• Chico...
• January 11, 2011

Singulair (montelukast) "I had horrible side effects from Singulair. I started suffering severe anxiety attacks, which my boyfriend (who is an EMT) linked back to Singulair. My allergy doctor wasn't even sure it was the Singulair until I talked to my pharmacist. Heed caution that the rare side effects can happen and that they are scary."

• NorCalM
• March 27, 2016

Singulair (montelukast) "I have mild asthma that occasionally worsens to be more moderate. I'm another person who has mood effects from taking Singular, and in addition, it's affecting my ability to enjoy certain flavors. It feels like an antihistamine, sort of, causing my mouth to feel dry, and I feel thirsty a lot. I'd live with that, but I am experiencing this weird agitation that's quite uncomfortable. I'm very aware of it, and I'm an adult, not a kid, so I probably won't bite anybody's head off. However, I think it might not be worth it to me and I think I'll stop it for a few days to compare how I feel then with what I'm feeling now."

• nunis...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 26, 2013

Singulair (montelukast) "I have been on Singulair since it was first on the market. This medication has given me a life that is free of fear from episodes of asthma attacks. Before this medication I was using a steroid inhaler and short acting and long acting. Not to mention the nasal spray and the allergy medication. Five medications versus the one of Singulair plus a fast acting for exercise or shortness of breath."

• ItWas...
• January 31, 2013

Singulair (montelukast) "Inhaler from allergist didn't help breathing problems. I always felt the fresh air I breathed in only got half way down and then hit a filter of some sort. Had wheezing/whistles every day at the end of my exhale. Inhaler didn't help. Out of breath over the slightest activity. Got an prescription from family practice doc for this. This has eliminated my wheezing and out of breath feeling. I'm allergic to just about everything year round. It did not eliminate my need for allergy medication but it has made my breathing perfect. I wouldn't ever want to do without this medication. "

• April...
• September 7, 2017

Singulair (montelukast) "I have used this drug for over 15 years. I have asthma triggered by inhalants and the original version has totally controlled my symptoms. I used the generic when it came out because of cost. I started having mild asthma symptoms within a few days. When my local Target switched to another generic I developed hypersensitivity pneumonitis which was diagnosed after over $20,000 in lab work and a bronchoscopy. Back on original singulair..and no problem again. It really controls my asthma and allergic reactions."

• serve...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2015

Singulair (montelukast) "I've been stepping up and up since I was diagnosed with asthma. First it was just Ventolin, then we added Clenil Modulite, then Seretide 50/25 at Christmas, up to Seretide 125/25 a few weeks later, adding in Avamys nasal spray for hayfever and Acrivastine for hayfever and Type 1 latex allergy, then finally adding on Montelukast. Sadly, unlike some of the other people on here, I haven't been able to get down to just Montelukast. However, I'd say it's a miracle pill! I play ice hockey and overnight I went from tight chest and coughing and wheezing after hockey (I have CVA so wheezing is weird) to being totally fine. I still struggle if I max out, so I have to change out regularly but I play forward so that's easy enough. It's just great!!!"

• AmyCE
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2024

Singulair (montelukast) "I can smell again after 20+ years, every medication out there, and sinus surgery. It's the only thing that works. Was prescribed by my pulmonary doc for asthma and allergies and this 'side effect' of restoring my sense of smell has changed my life."

• Em0617
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 5, 2017

Singulair (montelukast) "Singulair has been a godsend to help control my daily asthma symptoms due to allergenic/mold triggers. I haven't noticed it make a difference with exercise or smoke triggers, but it definitely helps reduce frequency/severity of asthma symptoms in general. If I take a few days to pick up my prescription, I can absolutely feel a difference in my lung health. I've been waiting the past few days to get the entire prescription renewed with my doctor and I had a nighttime attack last night for the first time since I started taking the medicine (it's been six days since I last took it). I have not experienced any mood changes even though I already had diagnosed anxiety when I started the medication or any other adverse side effects."

• Steph
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2019

"WARNING!!! I was prescribed this medication 9 days ago after a serious asthma attack. I’ve had mild asthma (mostly exercise induced) for about 20 years but haven’t been on preventative meds since I was in high school. Since beginning this medication last week, I have experienced major mood and psychological changes - this medication is awful. I have felt completely foggy, out of it, dissociated from reality, disinterested in anything, unable to concentrate, shaky, fast heartbeat, my teeth hurt and feel like they are covered in a weird film. Seriously I felt like I was in danger of my own actions. I am never taking Singulair again and I would caution every person who is prescribed to really pay attention to how you feel because this is NOT normal. I read that that medication has a pretty quick half-life so it will hopefully be out of my system in the next 30 hours."

• Loopy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2013

Singulair (montelukast) "I have been on cortisteroids for about 10 years due to asthma and allergies, many times bronchitis and pneumonia. Asthma very bad this year and have increased use of Symbicort up to 8 inhalations per day, usually 4, no better so doctor prescribed Singular on Monday and 4 days later feeling somewhat clearer but producing more sputum, itchy and trouble resting very hyper. I will try to stay on it for another 7 days to see if it settles as per the pharmacist. "