Montelukast: which changes in sleep or behaviour should you report?

If you take prescribed montelukast, tell your doctor about changes in sleep, mood or behaviour that appear during treatment. The guidance below comes in particular from SINGULAIR 10 mg, film-coated tablets, a presentation intended for adults and adolescents aged 15 and over.

Nightmares, abnormal dreams, sleep disturbances and sleepwalking are listed in the official documents. The ANSM letter notes that these signs have sometimes been recognised late as possibly linked to montelukast. Tell your doctor when they appear, without deciding the cause yourself.

Relatives may also notice irritability, anxiety or an unusual change in behaviour. The product information asks that patients and caregivers be informed so they can watch for these events and alert the doctor. These are observations to share, without trying to make a psychiatric diagnosis.

The leaflet says to contact the doctor if neuropsychiatric symptoms occur during treatment. The current product information, a document for prescribers, requires montelukast treatment to be interrupted if these symptoms appear. Clarify the action to take with your doctor: this warning involves more than an administrative report.

Consult your doctor immediately if you notice the serious effects listed in the leaflet: agitation with aggression or hostility, depression, hallucinations, disorientation, suicidal thoughts or suicidal acts. The leaflet says urgent medical treatment may be needed. This takes priority over a prevention appointment.

Oral montelukast does not treat an acute asthma attack and does not replace other prescribed asthma medicines. During an attack, follow your doctor’s instructions and keep your inhaled rescue treatment available. If asthma or breathing gets worse, the leaflet says to inform the doctor immediately.