Anyone's kids on Montelukast (sp?) as a preventer?

[topiarygal]

Hi
DS is NOT asthmatic, just really allergic. As we're coming into his 'season' his consultant's considering putting him on Montelukast as an additional preventer (he's on 5ml of antihistamine a night).
Anyone else doing this? Good? Bad? Friends of mine on this have complained of nightmares as a side effect - not something I'd wish on my lad, but if it staves off a few reactions. ... Who knows? Anyone any idea?

www.medicines.org.uk/EMC/medicine/4299/XPIL/Singulair+Paediatric+4+mg+tablets/

Click on PIL (patient information leaflet) to get info on the medication.

hope this helps. sorry no personal experience

DD (12) has been taking it for a few years - she takes it a few hours before bed & is fine

Ds' consultant put him on it because of his allergies causing his blocked nose, sneezing.

It really did help but after a week or so, he started to complain of pain in his groin and legs.

I stopped it and started it again a few weeks later and the same thing happened, so I am pretty sure it was the montelukast.

However, for some it is great. So I would probably try it and see how you go.

My son is on it. It has really helped his asthma during the night. He suffered with waking coughing due to allergies a lot at night. He has suffered from nightmares which we think are from taking it but its hard to tell

oooch - not sounding too good so far ...

Don't forget, there will be far more people that it does work for , than it doesn't (or causes problems with), otherwise it would no longer be on the market.

& it has really helped with DD's breathing or she wouldn't be on it

Ds has been on it for about 4 yrs now. It has changed his life for the better and I am so thankful for that drug.

He was regularly in hopsital when he caught a cold ...haven't had one admission since he started it , infact he has only needed to be nebulised once. Amazing!

My daughter, who has asthma, was taken off it because of nightmares, but it was very effective for her in eliminating night coughs. Try it and see.

She is on a Serevent (salmeterol) inhaler now instead, which works just as well for her and doesn't cause sleep problems, but I've no idea whether it'd be appropriate for your child.

well thank you, and Daftapeth, you're totally right. I'll give it a go, thanks everyone!

My dd1 whi is 4 has been on it for about a year for asthma. She also has hayfever.

She had been on Becotide daily since 19 months but went through a bad patch last year with 3 admissions to hospital in 6 weeks so they put her on Singulair.

The difference with her asthma was amazing. She had only one minor attack in 10 months and her hayfever was much better this summer. She has disimproved a bit in the last month or so but this is usually her worst time of year.

As regards side effects she had a nightmare 2 nights ago - first one since she has been on Singulair for a year so I don't think it is connected.

All you can do is try it and see how it goes.

Best of luck.

thank you! I will

My 8 year old son has been on Montelukast for over a year and during that time has developed severe sleep disorder, because of the nightmares. He has trouble sleeping presumably because of the drug and even when he's extremely tired, he fights it because he's afraid of the nightmares that he knows he will have.

I've only just made the link today, having looked at the 'possible side effects' as published.

The knock on effect on his enjoyment and experience of school has been catastrophic and we've had frequent complaints from his teachers. He is a very bright boy who achieved all level 3's and above in his Key stage 1 SATs. However he is now exhausted and unable to concetrate during lessons, seems oblivious to routines and procedures with regard to changing books, handing in homework etc. He has become withdrawn and not engaging as much as usual with the other children. He is frequently sad and maudlin in his outlook. This is not helped by the fact that he frequently has detention because he hasn't done his work in class or returned homework on the appropriate day.
I feel wretched that I've let him down, by not researching the drug before I gave it to him or being vigilent to any of the side effects. However, my GP said there were none. However, I now feel a massive sense of relief to have identified the cause of his sleep disorder.

If your child is prescribed this drug, please take care. I wouldn;t want any other child to suffer as my poor son has.

I have also tried both Montelukast and Serevent and now alternate to avoid each one's side effects. I'd say that Montelukast side effects are the more serious ones and I favour the Serevent when possible. bit.ly/serevent

I wouldn't touch montelukast- my DD had it aged 4 on the advice of her respiratory consultant who I trusted and who totally down played any potential side effects.
Poor girl suffered horrific night terrors and other behavioural problems. It took my husband and I a long time to realise what the potential cause was after much googling.
This all stopped shortly after taking her off it however even then the Specialist didn't seem to believe us.
Another great ormond street specialist more recently told me he wouldn't touch it now. Many countries just pop it into their children's mouth as if it's a sweet.....totally unaware of its potential mind altering effects, sometimes causing even suicidal thoughts.
Be very careful.