Singulair symptoms and conditions

It has been interesting for me to read this posts. I have been wondering about the long term side affects to singulair- mostly because my 11 year old has been on Singulair for several years now. We spent many of nights in the ER for asthma when he was little and no Dr. did testing. When he was 5 his pediatrician tested him for allergies and put him on Singulair. We have had a great experience with it. I find it interesting that many of the health issues on here- joint pains, bouts of depression, weight gain...I personally experience all of them and i am not on any medication. My 11 year old does not experience any of the mentioned side affects. I wanted to find out long term side affects for my own personal knowledge. Prior to Singulair, he was on Zyrtec which was not a good fit.

Just wanted to let everyone know that you can get Intal Inhaler overseas. It is simple the best asthma med I've ever used and it has been around for 30 years. You can ask you doctor for a prescription. I got the 5 mg. I take 2 puffs 4 times a day, but you can take it up to 8 times a day if you need to.

Did the Singulair, Flovent, Flonase and I developed panic attacks, panic disorder, agoraphobia, depression and ulcerative colitis. Slowly got off of all of them and not only am I almost back to my normal self, I can breathe!

I get my Intal Inhaler at Panther Meds, butotherplaces offer it too. It takes about 3 weeks to get as it's coming from overseas. Please note - Europe's drug process is much more severe than ours. The prescribed Intal more than any other asthma medication. They say the corticosteroids should only be used with extreme, uncontrollable asthma due to all of the side effects.

I took my very happy, sweet, polite four-year-old son to the doctor yesterday because he was coughing horribly during the night. Great during the day, hacking at night. He was put on Singulair. I didn't think twice about it, since I am on it and have had no problems (although I take it sporadically since I tend to forget!). I picked him up from pre-school today and was told that he was a completely different child. Rude, put in time-out multiple times, refused to listen. This is behavior that he has never had at school, and the only difference is the Singulair. I will not be giving that to him again!

I am looking for any information anyone has about the possibility that Singulair causes colitis or that it can lead to inflamed colon and bleeding colon. My daughter is 4 years old and has never been a sick child. In September, she started bleeding from her colon, and a month later, she was finally diagnosed with colitis after having a colonoscopy. The doctor prescribed Prednisone (steriod) and Phlagyll (antibiotic) (spelling?). I decided to stop giving her the Singulair that she had previously been taking because I didn;t want her to have so many drugs in her system as one time. After a few days of the steriods and antibiotics, she was well, with no signs of problems. Everything was going great for a few weeks, but last week I started giving her the Singulair again, and her colits symptoms have come back. Has anyone else experienced this in relation to Singulair?

I have a 15-yr old. She's been taking singulair since she was 7. These are a few of the things that I have noticed over the last year but ignored because I too, as many of you have, thought it was because she a teenager.

1. Stomachache .. she complained all the time. Thought it was nerves because it was usually before she went to a training session or game.
2. Restlessness.
3. Headaches.
4. Moodiness.
5. Tired. Fatigue. Weak. Even after she gets hours and hours of sleep. Figured it was because her schedule is whacked. We've had fights over her not going to bed at a certain time.
6. Menstrual cycle changed last fall followed by acne when as before she was perfectly normal with clear skin. Recently put her on BC because of her hormonal change. Blood tests showed she was normal. We tried it anyway to regulate her periods. Took her off of it after she had her period for 3 weeks straight. Probably won't put her back on BC since taking Singulair might be the problem.
7. Tired all the time. Falls asleep in class.
8. Lost interest in her favorite sport which she rocks at. Thought it was because of a 2-month down time due to an injury.
9. Several times, have seen signs of depression but when confronted she says no she's fine. Depression is probably from being unhappy with her appearance. Being on the pill made this worse.
10. Doesn't want to go to school. Whereas before not a big deal. Most kids don't like school, but lately, she talks about how much she hates it. Usually excited to start the new school year, this year not so much, more like dreading it and her attitude hasn't change about it.
11. We argued last week and it was the first time she screamed at me and told me she hated me. She's never done this before. Her thoughts and moods have been horrible but they come in spurts.

After reading everyone's experiences, I am taking her off Singulair. I know it's not an overnight cure and will take some time, but I just want my little girl back. I find it strange that this all occurred within the last year even though she's been taking Singulair since 7. Do you suppose it's in teenagers and puberty?

I have been taking singulair for about a year and a half. Honestly I have had no side effects. It works great for me. I have tried to just take my zyrtec for my allergies without the singulair. I notice that if I don't take the singulair I feel shortness of breath and have to use my inhaler. When I combine singulair with my zyrtec I don't even need my inhaler at all. I was reading some of the experiences from other people, I think maybe children shouldn't take singulair at all.

I was put on Singulair two weeks ago and since then I have have experienced everything from hyperactivity and insomnia to flu symptoms and loose bowel movements. I contacted my doctor after 3 days because I was having tingling in my hands and feet, flu symptoms, cramping etc but no fever and otherwise fine...He said the benefits outway the side effects so take half. I continued to take half. The cramping reduced and so did the other physical type side effects, but I started feeling like Superwoman. Instead of sleep I sterilized my house, wrote emails, tended to laundry, etc...and then continued my normal day with a smile and pep that I would not expect. I really had no desire to eat. The thought just made me cringe. After two days of no sleep and hyperactive state I decided I am done. I stopped taking it...and I took my son, 6, off it as well. He had been taking it for 4 years and was presenting with signs of hyperactivity. It has been one week...he turned yellow, became more hyperactive, talked about how the man in his room is gone now. He had struggled with sleep since he started Singulair but there were no side effects at the time that listed bad dreams, hallucinations, hyperactivity etc...It has been one week and we watched our son turn yellow as he withdrew ...he could have been spider man break dancing on the ceiling for the first few days. His teachers and even the bus driver had sent home warnings about his behavior "can't sit still" ...the last 3 days of school he has been on "green" which means great behavior. I do not think anyone should give this drug to kids...and it should not be given in sample forms either to any doctor trusting patient...without a full discussion of these side effects. I feel like I just went thru hell and put my son thru hell.

for about a week I can not read the replays to people's posts. Can it be fixed please? My son is on week four being off singular. There are good days and bad. Hopefully we are heading toward more good. I think what I have noticed is he does better with extra sleep and vitamins.

Regardless of whether singular has weight gain listed as an "official" side effect, singular is: Montelukast Sodium (generic name), meaning, sodium is sodium, is Na+! Edema & weight gain WILL occur is individuals sensitive to sodium's effects.

I am 44 years old and have been taking singulair for about 4 years. 3 months ago I started experiencing crushing chest pain, tingling in my lower limbs, and felt very stressed out. I went to the ER last Thursday and was checked out for angina - the ER doctor told me I was suffering from chronic severe anxiety. I took Ativan for 4 days and felt better, but now the drigs are gone and I again having constant chest pain. In doing some research I found that anxiety can be caused by imbalance in adrenaline, and so started looking online to see if any of the allergy/asthma meds I am taking (adviar, singulair, allegra) can affect adrenaline. That';s when I found this website. Although i find the testimony compelling, I wish more folks would have poted about how their symptoms improved (or didn't) AFTER discontinuing singulair. Also I've noticed many of the stories are about children not adults; many people are taking more than one med for asthma, and most people's symptoms seem to come on right away whereas I have been taking sinulair for years and only recently have anxiety. I will stop singulair tonight and see what happens, but am wondering if anyone has come across further research that correlates singiulair with anxiety? My job life is really peaceful, I am otherwise happy, work can get hectic but that's true of any job, and I am out of ideas as to why suddenly at age 44, when I eat right and exercise - why get anxiety? Thanks for the posts, I'll try to remember to follow up after I am off Singulair for a few weeks.

I've noticed that my 13 year-old son have developed some repetitive rapid eye movements and a compulsive vocalization similar to a brief laugh since using Singular. Has any other reader experienced similar behavioral side effects in themselves or a child they are caring for while using this product?

can someone please tell me how long it took for their child's thought to return to normal? My son has stopped singulair four days ago after reading this website. I had ruled out everything but could not find out what was wrong. After putting in his symptoms and that he took singulair i couldn't believe that I found it matched. He had stopped taking it for a month and had started back up on it. Please respond to a nervous mother of an eight year old who was a happy child who now had thoughts of knifes and scary thoughts

Okay I need some help from all you people. I have been on Zyrtc and Singulair for about 10+ years. This past Monday was my last pill for both. Tues and Wed did pretty well. Thursday and Friday not so much. I can handle the sneezing and watery eyes what I can not handle is the ITCHING!!! Driving me crazy. That started about 3 this afternoon. My doctor does not want me to take any antihistamine. How long is the withdrawal take from these meds? Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated

I was on Singulair while pregnant because my asthma got worse while pregnant. Postpartum I noticed my 2 month old breastfed baby was still sleeping way too much and very colicky. I tried cutting out dairy and other allergens but nothing made a difference. When I forgot to take my Singulair a couple days in a row, I noticed my mood was much improved and the anger/irritability went away. Finally, after noticing I was having vivid, bad dreams, I began to realize it might be all from the Singulair. I also had developed a stiff, tight neck and vision loss, which I now realize was also from being on Singulair.
I went off of it and must say, that was the worst week of my life. I never felt so horrible or out of control. Although I noticed the first few days, I was happy and feeling again (it made me emotionally numb) by the fourth day, I began having heart palpitations and bad headaches. I quickly got my thyroid levels checked and those were fine. Then I suddenly had severe panic attacks! I thought I was going crazy! This was mistakenly misdiagnosed as PPD, although I was never even depressed. I was given a script for Zoloft and took Ativan but that didn't take away the panic and the Zoloft seemed to make the panic worse!
I began researching and realized all of my symptoms were from Singulair withdrawals! Even my family noticed I became a mean and hateful person with this last pregnancy. This drug is an awful poison! I am slowly recovering and feeling better everyday. I'm using my fast acting inhaler for the time being. Instead of the therapy I thought I needed for PPD (mis dx'd obviously) I'm also using herbs to treat this homeopathically with a natural doctor since conventional ones still want to pass it off as something it is not due to ignorance that an asthma medicine can wreck this kind of havoc on a person! They just want to use more drugs to treat the side effects of another drug!
I am so angry I took this while pregnant and breastfeeding being told it was okay. It was not okay and I hope and pray there are no long term side effects to my child from this drug!

I was taking Zyrtec for the past 8 years and I am also on Antidepressants ( Effexor) and on Singulair. I had to stop taking the zyrtec 72 hrs prior to being re-tested for my allergies. I had done this once before and knew that the withdrawals were pretty intense, with itching so bad it made me want to go to the hospital. This time I looked up Zyrtec withdrawals and was shocked at the information I discovered. I stopped cold turkey and I am miserable with the itchiness. I also discovered that I don't get so short of breath( I run ) during my exercise. never going back on that stuff again. I still have allergies and get shots every 3 weeks but haven't had any problems not taking the zyrtec in relation to my allergies.

SINGULAIR'S LABEL HAS BEEN UPDATED:

The following has been added to the "Precautions" section of Singulair's label:

"Neuropsychiatric Events
Neuropsychiatric events have been reported in adult, adolescent, and pediatric patients taking SINGULAIR. Post-marketing reports with SINGULAIR use include agitation, aggressive behavior or hostility, anxiousness, depression, dream abnormalities, hallucinations, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, somnambulism, suicidal thinking and behavior (including suicide), and tremor. The clinical details of some post-marketing reports involving SINGULAIR appear consistent with a drug-induced effect.

Patients and prescribes should be alert for neuropsychiatric events. Patients should be instructed to notify their prescribe if these changes occur. Prescribes should carefully evaluate the risks and benefits of continuing treatment with SINGULAIR if such events occur (see ADVERSE REACTIONS, Post- Marketing Experience)."

I have an 8 yr old son that has allergies and asthma. The allergist recently prescribed Singulair which my son had taken when he was 5. We took him off of it back then due to anger outbursts. By the way, the Dr. said that was not a side effect, but nonetheless the issues subsided. When it was recently added back to his medication list, within 3 days he had anaphylactic type episodes 2 days in a row. The attack started with stomach pains, chest pains and then he couldn't breath AT ALL and turned blue! There was no time to call 911 so I gave him an Epi Pen. The attacks are still occurring yet milder and all his Dr.'s swear by Singulair and think I am crazy. I took him off Singulair immediately and we are still waiting for it to leave his system. I think that is why the recent episodes have been milder. He has been tested for all sorts of allergens which he did not come in to contact with prior to the anaphylactic events. We still have no answers and if I hear one more Dr. talk about how great Singulair is, I am going to freak out!! To heck with these drug companies and doctor's who get perks for prescribing medications without informing us of side effects.

I've been on Advair 500/50 for about five years now. Nothing seemed to control my adult onset asthma before then. Singulair worked great but caused shin pain. I seem to tolerate the Advair well in most regards. About 3-4 years ago, I started having a productive cough. It is not all day long, but usually upon first rising and occasional bouts during the evening. I am also hoarse, but it could be due to other meds. I have had pulmonary workup which was great. I have recent cardiac workup, also great. Breathing is fine, better than ever. It is this cough that makes me sound worse than tv's Felix Unger. I am beginning to think it is caused by the Advair, as no other diagnosis is forthcoming.

My son has been on singulair for 4 months now to control his asthma. It has done wonders in doing what it was intended to do, however, he's experiencing all of the side effects that the other parents are listing on this site. I threw his singulair in the trash a few nights ago after my son had a complete emotional melt down; which I could easily see he had absolutely no control over. I knew the drugs were changing his personality a bit, but I thought it was just the price we had to pay to keep him out of the hospital. My gut told me never to give him the meds because I had heard about the suicidal tendencies associated with the drug, I just knew I had to watch my son closely (plus he's only 3). I have 3 boys, and the one with asthma is my mild mannered, never gets in trouble, as close to perfect as a child can be. He's been saying "poop" and "pee" uncontrollably along with aggressive behavior toward his brothers and he would cry for no reason at all. His sleep patterns had changed as well, which I now know are due to nightmares - I even found him hiding under his bed a couple of times. I do not know why this drug is approved for children, but after reading the other stories I realize this seems to be the standard instead of the exception. I hope they pull this drug off the market before any more kids get hurt. I feel like I have poisoned my child - I will definitely be spreading the word on this. Anxiously awaiting for this medicine to leave my sons body so I can have my sweet little boy back.

Hi, my name is M. I just got up with my son Jo Jo as usual about 2:00 pm. Nightmares--severe. Leg and foot pain. In fact I thought he was having restless leg syndrome and the doctors had him tested for seizures. His moods are horrible. Tantrums have been out of this world. After two years of sleep deprivation for both of us, something said look at side effects of Singulair. Actually, I believe that something was God because as I massaged my son's legs I prayed. I came to the computer, found his website and saw my son's symptoms written out clear as day. We are done with Singulair. Forever. I just walked back to the room and apologized to my sleeping son. I can not tell how horrible I feel as a parent for my child to have suffered so. I also can not begin to describe the relief I feel right now. My son has enough problems without medication causing him to suffer. I have suffered as well. As a single parent I have to work but I am often sleepwalking through my days. Thank God for all of you who posted. You have saved my son's health and quality of life. And mine. Thank God!

Just started my six year old son on Zyrtec again. The dr. said he could take the adult pill now 10mg. The last few nights he has wakened with terrible nightmares/night terrors. And after reading these posts i remember taking him off for the winter (he was on the liquid 5mg) and i remember him always itching his arms and legs. i remember giving him oatmeal baths. Now i know it is from stopping the Zyrtec. I am calling the doc tomorrow about these nightmares. He was also on Singulair 4mg for 1 1/2 years then one year ago was upped to 5mg. Within one dose we noticed he was very depressed and cried easily. After a week called the doc about it, stopped it then had our son back in a few days. Will Never give Singulair again and now stopping Zyrtec. All these meds are so scary. A part of me feels these meds are created because it is a HUGE business. They have side effects then you have to take other meds for those side effects and it is a never ending circle i feel purposely created by pharmaceutical companys to make money. And we are all suffering because of their greed. Shame on them

My son was on singulair for most of his infancy (11 mos- 22 mos old) we took him off of it when I started staying home with him. He was in daycare and was having breathing issues. We would give him the singulair and Zyrtec every morning. He became a very despondent baby. He would spend the ENTIRE day in the rocking chair at the daycare. After months and months of the teachers telling me this we decided it was best I stay home with him. He came off of the singulair and things got so much better for a while, he began to interact with us and others, not fearful anymore, and slept through the night. However other things have grown to be worse, as he has been developing...every day he seems more difficult to deal with. Now, 5, he is angry, fits of tantrums and rage, can't cope with his emotions, he actually kicked me today during one of these fits. He has been peeing in his room when he is sent there because he has been punished for one of these outbursts. What are the long term after effects of Singlair? Has anyone had this experience? Could the singulair have been given to him too early and now caused some sort of permanent nero or psychiatric condition? PLEASE ADVISE!!!! This Mom is really frightened.

i have been suffering from nightmares, irritability, moodiness, anger, hopelessness, agitation, hallucinations, fatigue, behavioral problems, withdrawal from my spouse, loss of interest in my everyday life.
i never put anything together about the weight gain until i read some of the responses on the web. I attributed to being 40 , loss of activity etc.

My son was put onto 4mg Singulair when he was three years old. He is now six years old. For the past three years he has been a very quiet child, to the point that people commented on how shy and withdrawn he was. He never wanted to go anywhere or do anything. His favorite activity was lying on the couch watching tv. He was always thirsty, frequently went to the toilet,often complained of a sore stomach & had several bowel movements every day, did not sleep well at night, was often grumpy, could not concentrate for very long, was frequently ill with cold-like symptoms and did not really like you to touch/hug him. At the beginning of the year he was diagnosed by an occupational therapist as having low muscle tone. In March of this year, his pediatrician increased his singulair to 5mg. He began having terrible pains in his legs, to the point that he would cry and be unable to walk to the toilet at night. I took him to my GP who did every blood test under the sun and x rays of his pelvis and legs. He could find nothing wrong. The only thing that had changed was the increase in Singulair. I had a look on the internet and found this website. I immediately decreased his dose to 1/2 a tablet for a week and then 1/4 tablet for a week before taking him completely off it. Within a few days our whole family and his teacher and therapist noticed a huge change in his personality! He talks all the time now, he laughs a lot, he loves playing outside and has lots of energy. He teacher says he is much more receptive at school. His occupational therapist says his muscle tone has improved. He has not had one single leg pain since coming off the medication. He is sleeping well at night, his stomach is never sore and he has not been sick at all. Not even one little sniffle!! Best of all he is a normal, affectionate little boy. I feel very angry with the manufacturers of Singulair and with his pediatrician, it feels as though my son has lost three years of being a child. He felt terrible all the time and I had no idea! I have told everyone I know who has a child on singulair to look at the side effects.

Just finished reading the posts and I feel like it was written about my 8 year old. I never connected the two issues of anxiety, frustration doing schoolwork, quick to tears and leg pains. I kept telling them they were growing pains. Last night he called me from his father's and said he has suicidal thoughts... not that he wanted to kill himself, just couldn't stop thinking about it... good lord. After months of dealing with him not wanting to go to bed and not feeling safe we have an answer. I told my ex husband to stop the medication today, I will post back after a few weeks to update the progress. I usually never post randomly on the internet, but this site might have just saved my son from emotional turmoil!