Logan Steele
Montelukast is a medication used to prevent wheezing, coughing, and other symptoms caused by asthma in adults and children. It is also used to prevent bronchospasm during exercise and to treat seasonal allergies. While it is a helpful medication for many, it can cause some unwanted side effects, including allergic reactions, sleep problems, and mental health changes. One of the side effects that has been reported by patients is muscle twitching, along with other abnormal movements.
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What You'll Learn
Montelukast may cause mental health problems
Montelukast is a medicine used to treat asthma and allergies. It is not a fast-acting rescue medicine for asthma attacks and needs to be taken daily to work properly. It is usually taken once a day, with or without food.
Like all medicines, montelukast can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Some common side effects of montelukast are upper respiratory infection, fever, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and sinusitis.
Montelukast may also cause mental health problems in some patients. The FDA has identified a wide variety of mental health side effects, including completed suicides. Most reported cases occurred during montelukast treatment, but some occurred after stopping the medicine. Serious mental health side effects have occurred in patients with and without a history of mental illness.
Some people using montelukast have had new or worsening mental problems. Stop taking montelukast and call your doctor right away if you have unusual changes in mood or behaviour, such as agitation, aggression, irritability, anxiety, depression, confusion, problems with memory or attention, tremors, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts or actions.
It is important to tell your family or friends that you are taking montelukast, so they can help you notice any changes in mood, sleep, or behaviour.
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Serious allergic reactions have been reported
Montelukast may cause serious allergic reactions in some individuals. It is important to recognise the symptoms of a serious allergic reaction and respond appropriately. Stop taking montelukast and seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Swelling of the lips, mouth, throat, or tongue
- Difficulty breathing or a feeling of choking or gasping for air
- Tightness in the throat or difficulty swallowing
- Skin, tongue, or lips turning blue, grey, or pale
- Sudden confusion, drowsiness, or dizziness
In addition to these physical symptoms, montelukast has been associated with serious mental health changes, including agitation, aggression, irritability, anxiety, depression, confusion, memory problems, and suicidal thoughts or tendencies. These mental health changes can occur during treatment or even after stopping the medication. It is important to be vigilant for any unusual changes in mood or behaviour and to seek medical advice if they occur.
If you experience any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including mental health changes, it is crucial to stop taking montelukast and seek emergency medical assistance. Do not drive to the hospital; instead, ask someone to drive you or call for an ambulance. Always bring all your medications with you to the hospital.
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It can cause sleep problems
Montelukast is a medication used to treat asthma and allergic rhinitis. While it can be an effective treatment for many people, it may cause side effects in some individuals. One of the known side effects of montelukast is sleep problems.
Sleep problems have been reported in people taking montelukast oral tablets. Interestingly, these sleep issues were not observed during clinical studies of the drug but emerged after it was approved and became more widely used. This suggests that the impact of montelukast on sleep may vary across individuals, and further research is needed to fully understand this side effect.
If you experience sleep problems while taking montelukast, it is important to consult your doctor. They can provide guidance and suggest ways to manage this side effect, such as adjusting the dosage or recommending alternative treatments. It is worth noting that these sleep disturbances may be related to the impact of montelukast on mental health and mood.
Montelukast has been associated with serious or life-threatening mental health changes, including agitation, aggression, irritability, anxiety, depression, confusion, and abnormal behaviour. These changes can occur while taking the medication or even after stopping it. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor any unusual changes in mood or behaviour and seek medical advice promptly.
Additionally, it is advised to inform your family or friends that you are taking montelukast, so they can help notice any changes in your mood, sleep, or behaviour. This support system can be valuable in identifying and addressing any potential side effects related to the medication.
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May increase white blood cell count
Montelukast is a medication used to prevent wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and coughing caused by asthma in adults and children. It is also used to prevent bronchospasm (breathing difficulties) during exercise and to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis. While it can be an effective medication, it may cause some unwanted effects.
One possible side effect of taking montelukast is an increase in certain white blood cells called eosinophils. This increase in eosinophils can sometimes lead to a condition called Churg-Strauss syndrome or systemic vasculitis, which is characterised by swelling throughout the blood vessels. This condition usually occurs in patients with asthma or those taking oral steroid medications that are being stopped or reduced in dosage.
The increase in eosinophils may manifest as a range of symptoms, including thrombocytopenia (low platelet levels), severe rash or swelling, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. These symptoms can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor for any signs or symptoms that may indicate an increase in white blood cell count while taking montelukast.
In addition to the physical side effects, montelukast has also been associated with changes in mental health and behaviour. These changes can be serious or even life-threatening and may occur during treatment or even after stopping the medication. Some of the reported mental health side effects include agitation, aggression, irritability, anxiety, depression, confusion, memory problems, and sleep disturbances.
It is important to note that not everyone will experience all of these side effects, and in many cases, the benefits of taking montelukast outweigh the risks. However, individuals taking montelukast should be aware of these potential side effects and seek medical advice if they experience any unusual changes in their physical or mental health.
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Tremors and muscle movements are possible side effects
Like all medicines, montelukast can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. Tremors and muscle movements are possible side effects of taking montelukast. If you experience these or any other side effects, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Montelukast is a leukotriene modifier medication, which helps to reduce inflammation. It is used to prevent asthma attacks and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in adults and children. It can also be used to treat seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis in adults and children when other treatments have not worked.
The most common side effects of montelukast are upper respiratory infection, sinus infection, and flu. Other common side effects include fever, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and sleep problems. Some people may also experience changes in mood and behaviour, such as agitation, aggression, irritability, anxiety, and depression.
It is important to be aware of the potential for serious side effects, such as allergic reactions and mental health changes. If you experience any unusual changes in mood, behaviour, or thinking, you should stop taking montelukast and seek medical help immediately. Serious side effects can also include increased levels of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell), which can cause Churg-Strauss syndrome, a rare condition involving the upper and lower airways.
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Frequently asked questions
Like all medicines, montelukast can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. The most common side effects (incidence more than 5% and greater than placebo) include upper respiratory infection, fever, headache, pharyngitis, cough, abdominal pain, diarrhea, otitis media, influenza, rhinorrhea, sinusitis, otitis, and Churg-Strauss syndrome. Serious side effects are rare but can include severe vasculitis (swelling throughout your blood vessels) and low levels of platelets in your blood.
Muscle twitching is not listed as a common side effect of montelukast. However, if you experience muscle twitching or other side effects that concern you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be bothersome.
Yes, call your doctor or seek immediate medical attention if you experience unusual changes in mood or behavior, such as agitation, aggression, irritability, anxiety, depression, confusion, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts or actions. Also, watch out for signs of blood vessel inflammation, such as flu-like symptoms, severe sinus pain, a skin rash, or numbness in your arms or legs.
