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Original poster

To flag this to parents of kids on montelucast for asthma

33 replies

Colourofspring · 04/05/2024 20:18

My son is under the care of a respiratory consultant for his asthma and the consultant has tried to put him
on montelucast a few months ago- I refused as the consultant informed me that it can cause halluncinations and DS is just about to do his GCSEs.

Now this has come out- one 14 year old boy committed suicide and his parents think this drug is to blame- horrendous for them 😢

Its not the first thing I have read about it either but this article was in the paper today:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/may/04/warning-over-asthma-drug-after-500-neuropsychiatric-reactions-reported-in-young-children

Warning over asthma drug after 500 neuropsychiatric reactions reported in young children

UK medicines regulator says information on boxes of montelukast will alert users to risk of mood and behaviour changes

https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/may/04/warning-over-asthma-drug-after-500-neuropsychiatric-reactions-reported-in-young-children

OP posts:
Sirzy · 05/05/2024 05:52

All drugs have risks, but for them to be prescribed it is felt the benefits outweigh the risks.

DS has hard to control asthma and has been on monetlukast as part of his management plan for the last 10 years. For him it has helped control his breathing so he can live.

he had a serious reaction to ibuprofen though but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be used for those who don’t react!

LeopardsRockingham · 05/05/2024 05:52

My son is on this. But we were heavily warned by the asthma nurse of ALL side effects.

I suppose it was an easier choice to make as he was 4 at the time and I believed I would spot any depressive/suicidal signs easily in a young child. It must be a much harder decision to make for an older child or as an adult.

Though it worked brilliantly. He's had barely any hospital admissions for asthma since starting it and seretide. It's been like night and day the difference in his breathing.

Appleblum · 05/05/2024 05:49

My DD was on it for a period of about 6 to 9 months when she was younger. She didn't suffer from the side effects but her doctor was very clear about the possible adverse reactions and told me to watch out for them, in which case we would stop the medication immediately.

I think it's an effective medication but it's risk factors should be discussed between the parents and the doctors.

Original poster
Colourofspring · 05/05/2024 05:29

Toddlerteaplease · 04/05/2024 21:45

I've been a paediatric nurse for 20 years and never seen anyone react badly to it.

Did you actually read the article?

Just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. It’s been reported and flagged by the medicines safety regulator. As parents of children with asthma, it’s right that we should be both aware and concerned.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 04/05/2024 21:45

I've been a paediatric nurse for 20 years and never seen anyone react badly to it.

Original poster
Colourofspring · 04/05/2024 20:34

Thepeopleversuswork · 04/05/2024 20:23

It is concerning. But bear in mind that there have been severe psychological effects in some cases when people are prescribed steroids for asthma and that has been linked to (small) number of cases of suicidal ideation in children.

If the Montelukast is reducing the child’s reliance on steroids it may be a trade off worth making.

Has your son been offered Seretide? My daughter has moderate asthma, was put on this a year ago and it’s been a game changer. She hasn’t needed to use her rescue inhaler once since.

Yes my son is on seretide 125 twice daily and it’s really good- which is kind of why I was already questioning the need to get him on montelucast - I feel like it’s peddled as a wonder drug but it’s clearly quite risky

OP posts:
CissOff · 04/05/2024 20:23

This is incredibly sad 😞

My Dd had it as youngster and we took her off it because she developed sleep walking and night terrors. Conversely, I started taking it a few month ago and it’s been a game changer for my asthma.

As with all drugs, there are some unwelcome side effects - it’s good to be aware in case

Edited to say I take it in conjunction with Fostair. Seratide worked for a couple of years but its efficacy declined over time.

Thepeopleversuswork · 04/05/2024 20:23

It is concerning. But bear in mind that there have been severe psychological effects in some cases when people are prescribed steroids for asthma and that has been linked to (small) number of cases of suicidal ideation in children.

If the Montelukast is reducing the child’s reliance on steroids it may be a trade off worth making.

Has your son been offered Seretide? My daughter has moderate asthma, was put on this a year ago and it’s been a game changer. She hasn’t needed to use her rescue inhaler once since.

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