Montelukast and Anxiety: What Users Say

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

Singulair (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

Singulair (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."

• ACa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2019

Singulair (montelukast) for Allergic Rhinitis "Singulair worked great for my non-allergic rhinitis and sinus. I stopped sneezing completely for 2 months on Singulair. I was able to breathe so much better, congestion relief. Only issue was I had severe anxiety and occasional panic attacks, even after cutting the pill in half, took every other day. I was truly discouraged because the med worked. I tried my best to continue the med, but anxiety became overwhelming."

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

Singulair (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 many 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 to be the culprit. After taking one dose of Singulair in the evening, the next day, I experienced suicidal thoughts, severe 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."

• 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

Singulair (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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Gom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2019

Singulair (montelukast) for Allergic Rhinitis "Honestly this medicine has helped my allergies drastically but my anxiety is off the wall. I’ve been on it for about 2 weeks... the first few days I was okay but around day 3 I stopped being able to sleep and started waking up with really bad anxiety and muscle/joint pains. I wish they could make this medicine without the side effects :)"

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

Singulair (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."

• Ver...
• November 5, 2016

Singulair (montelukast) for Asthma "Since taking Singulair I have tooth pain, tingling in my face, and a bad metallic taste in my mouth. Plus my anxiety level went up, feel really tired, and very agitated. Stopped taking it last night. Hope these side effects go away soon. This metallic taste is driving me crazy! This is the 2nd time I've tried it. Same side effects and more."

• dun...
• January 6, 2012

Singulair (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

Singulair (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."

• Kee...
• May 4, 2015

Singulair (montelukast) for Asthma "Worst experience of my life by far! First off, you can expect to have side effects 4-6 weeks after your last dose. I had to be put on anxiety medication because I became extremely distraught. I had night terrors, thoughts of hurting myself and others, even my dog. I managed to separate those thoughts from who I knew I was, but the emotional impact is so real. I also became paranoid that I was someone I was not! Best advice is to first get on an anxiety medication so that you can deal with the daily thoughts. I'm not saying stay on it forever, just while you wait out those weeks. Another key thing is to have someone you can call 24/7 and talk to about the thoughts, someone who knows how you are regularly. Luckily, I still have my mother."

• Sti...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2016

Singulair (montelukast) for Allergic Rhinitis "I tried Singulair because I have nasal allergies that turn into nasty sinus infections every couple of months. I also have panic disorder, but it's well controlled with medication. I was only able to take Singulair for 4 days due to side effects, so I can't say how well it works. It made me so sleepy that I was sleeping 12-15 hours a day and still tired when I was awake. I haven't had a panic attack in over a year, and my anxiety went through the roof on this stuff. My panic attacks were so bad that I was having trouble driving. I was also moody and irritable the days I took it. Luckily, all of the negative side effects went away within a couple of days of stopping Singulair. Stay away from this drug if you are prone to anxiety!!!"

• GLa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2019

Singulair (montelukast) for Asthma "I was prescribed this medicine to help with my reaction to my allergy shots. And it does help with that, but with a major side effect. I am an anxious mess the entire day. I have been walking around trying to avoid taking a Xanax, but after running, lifting weights, deep breathing, meditating, and laying down, I finally had to take it. I think next time I'll just deal with the reaction on my arms."

• Chi...
• January 11, 2011

Singulair (montelukast) for Asthma, Maintenance "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."

• 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."

• Alf...
• October 7, 2019

For Asthma "Day 4 of taking this and I decided to venture online to see if I’m crazy for feeling the way I feel. I feel as if I can breathe, but it feels difficult to. I have more anxiety and a fast heart rate. Before the medicine, I would wake up with a lot of phlegm in my throat, I do wake up without any on this medicine. Yesterday, I had bad thoughts about isolating myself from my family. Don’t think I will continue this medicine. At the end of the day, it’s chemicals we are putting into our bodies and nothing natural. Sometimes it would do more bad than good."

• 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."

• Ran...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2020

For Asthma "When I first started taking this medication, I felt my heart beat faster than normal, felt anxious, and battled constipation. These are all symptoms of low magnesium. I started taking magnesium, and all is well! I believe for some this medication may deplete magnesium levels, but with a daily dose of magnesium, the symptoms can be resolved."

• 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."

• Bin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2018

Singulair (montelukast) for Allergic Rhinitis "I took one pill this morning (as recommended by a friend who had trouble sleeping with it and found morning was better). It’s 3:18 AM, and I can’t sleep. Keep having waves of feeling like I can’t breathe. Pretty sure it’s anxiety. Won’t be taking this anymore. Hope the anxiety goes away."