I've been on singulaire since forever. RX'd by my lyme doc a long time ago. I can't even remember why - I don't have allergies, per se, but there was some other benefit to being on this but I can't remember now.
So, it's been at least 6 years, perhaps more. You know how you start those meds and they just keep getting refilled even though you don't have new checkups to determine why you are even taking it anymore.
Does anyone know about the drawbacks of long term use? Could this contribute to insomnia?
Thanks.
Posted by kgg (Member # 5867) on :
Yes. It can cause insomnia. It is listed in the side effects as such.
I am not sure what a lyme doc would use it for if not for allergies. Maybe to help with herxing?
Posted by woodstock (Member # 43072) on :
no way??? maybe that is why I have had insomnia forever!!! All this money chasing down other stuff to fix my insomnia.
Darn it. I will go off it for a week and see....
Posted by woodstock (Member # 43072) on :
ps. meaning, she thought insomnia was a side effect of lyme or babs. What if we had just stopped the singulaire - could that be enough?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Stopping it may work! I hope you can get off of it easily.
Yeast/candida also causes insomnia.
Posted by woodstock (Member # 43072) on :
I have had insomnia for going on two years. It's only recently starting to slack off slightly (I sleep a few days a week now, all night).. I didn't take the singulair this morning, let's see how it goes...
Posted by kgg (Member # 5867) on :
I would have a conversation with your doc about why you are on it before stopping. Or at least let them know you want to do a trial of not using it, to see if it impacts your sleep. imo
Posted by desertwind (Member # 25256) on :
Depression is a known side effect of this med.
Posted by springshowers (Member # 19863) on :
Singular can be prescribed to reduce herx reactions I have been prescribed it for this reason.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Hmmmm, well, no depression, although I would say some anxiety at times (which I attribute more to work issues).
Anyone know what the half life of this med may be? How long after I stop it would I expect the side effects to go away?
Thanks.
Posted by woodstock (Member # 43072) on :
Thanks Lymetoo!
Posted by woodstock (Member # 43072) on :
Does anyone know the half-life of singulair pills?
I last took one on Saturday. So, this is day 5 (and night 4) without one. Last night I slept not quite 7 hours.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Elimination
The plasma clearance of montelukast averages 45 mL/min in healthy adults. Following an oral dose of radiolabeled montelukast, 86% of the radioactivity was recovered in 5-day fecal collections and less than 0.2% was recovered in urine. Coupled with estimates of montelukast oral bioavailability, this indicates that montelukast and its metabolites are excreted almost exclusively via the bile.
In several studies, the mean plasma half-life of montelukast ranged from 2.7 to 5.5 hours in healthy young adults. The pharmacokinetics of montelukast are nearly linear for oral doses up to 50 mg. During once-daily dosing with 10-mg montelukast, there is little accumulation of the parent drug in plasma (14%).
Special Populations
Hepatic Insufficiency: Patients with mild-to-moderate hepatic insufficiency and clinical evidence of cirrhosis had evidence of decreased metabolism of montelukast resulting in 41% (90% CI=7%, 85%)higher mean montelukast AUC following a single 10-mg dose. The elimination of montelukast was slightly prolonged compared with that in healthy subjects (mean half-life, 7.4 hours)."
So, the half-life is 2.7 to 5.5 hours. In 5 half-lifes, the med is supposed to be gone.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by woodstock:
I last took one on Saturday. So, this is day 5 (and night 4) without one. Last night I slept not quite 7 hours.
- Sounds hopeful!
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
"5.4 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, disorientation, disturbance in attention, dream abnormalities, hallucinations, insomnia, irritability, memory impairment, 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 prescribers should be alert for neuropsychiatric events. Patients should be instructed to notify their prescriber if these changes occur. Prescribers should carefully evaluate the risks and benefits of continuing treatment with SINGULAIR if such events occur [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)]."