Singulair and weight gain

Wow! So glad I stumbled across this. My doctor put me on singulair for my allergies & sinus issues. It worked great for that but I have gained so much weight in my belly area (not where I normally gain it) and I kept thinking my face just didn't look right but maybe it's because I turned 50. Well the clincher was when I went to see my daughter at college and we took a selfie and she said "gee, mom that face doesn't even look like yours". So I wasn't imagining it. It's just puffy looking along with my belly issue and thighs. I was walking 50-70 miles a month with my dog, plus regular weights and zumba but I just couldn't seem to lose anything no matter what I did. I started wondering if it was my age or the one pill I take besides vitamins which is the singulair! Well, now I know and have stopped taking it....in a few days I was down 3lbs already. Hoping I can drop this weight now. I will be talking to my doctor about this at my next visit for sure. It's horrible....just because it's not listed as a side effect doesn't mean it doesn't happen apparently.

I have been on the generic form of Singulair for close to 10 years. I take it seasonally to control my allergy/asthma symptoms. If I don't take it I risk my asthma getting out of control and that usually leads to a bronchial illness or worse, pneumonia. In general, my asthma is well controlled except during the seasons that aggravate my allergies. I don't usually need it over the winter or early to mid summer. I started gaining five to ten pounds each time I was on it and struggled to lose it in between. This winter I had to stay on it because the weather was so mild. I've gained over 20 pounds. All around the middle and back I am heavier, bloated and uncomfortable. I am a fitness instructor and have tried everything to counter this effect. I've even tried wearing a fitbit to track my activity and to push myself past my usual level. I easily top 10,000 steps daily and it's getting worse instead of better. I am at the heaviest, I've ever been. I've reported this to my doctor and intend to go back and press the issue to be sure this is reported. It's hard to believe that after all these years, this is not listed as a side effect of this medicine when so many people are having these issues. I've tried reducing the Singulair to every other day, but that does not always control the symptoms. It's now March and I can't go off the medicine without risking serious episodes so, I feel like I am stuck.

My 8 year old is the same way. We started him on singulair last August and he has gained quite a bit of weight since then. I am relieved to know he is not the only one experiencing this. Good luck to you and your son!

Look up weight gain and antihistamines; including claritin causing weight gain before you switch. I have been taking both mainly claritin and gaining weight.

I have being taking Cetizine and singular and i have gain so much weight i was already heavy but not like this.So my doctor told me to stop taking it.

What herbs did your naturopath put you on? Having the same issues.

No its not change of Diet. Since I started taking Singulair I have gain 10 lbs. and rising. Is there a alternative medication without weight gain?

OMG FINALLY AN ANSWER. I am normally about 120lbs and a size 0. I started Singular 3 weeks ago for allergies and the scale says I am now 138! I feel bloated & miserable. I haven't changed my diet, lifestyle- NOTHING has changed except the scale and starting Singular. None of my clothes fit I have begun to become depressed because I have nothing that fits & just feel yucky. I am stopping it now after reading all these posts. There is NO WAY I have gained almost 20 lbs in 3 weeks. I knew it had to be bloating. Thank you all SO MUCH for sharing.

At age 56 I was placed on Singular for almost 3 years. I am now 59. During those 3 years, I complained of constant weight gain. The Doctors ( I saw more than one) and the Pharmacists all stated that they had never heard of Singular causing weight gain. Finally, a Pharmacist acknowledged that "yes" indeed Singular caused weight gain. I have gained so much weight, approximately 70 pounds! I wish I NEVER would have even put 1 Singular tablet in my mouth and I am furious at incompetent Doctors that don't do the research of medications that they place their patients on. Now I am almost 60 years old and taking that weight off is almost impossible! A class action suit should be taken against Singular because rapid weight gain is definitely not healthy for anyone and absolutely not at my age, where a stroke could easily happen! Do NOT take this medication unless you want your belly to hang over your pants and you really enjoy being fat!

Unless you report your weight gain to the company as an adverse event a blog like this does no good. If the company receives numerous complaints about weight gain they will have to report it to the FDA and eventually they will have to put it in their package insert to warn doctors and patients that weight gain is a side effect. If you don't tell the company nothing will be done.

I am so glad I have come across this blog.
I suffer from asthma and have been on this drug for a few years and have put on over 20 lbs.
I though i was just being lazy as I have just stopped competing in Ironman.
I still exercise a lot and can ride over 100 miles none stop.
I have logged my calorie intake via MyFitnessPal and my exercise via Garmin (Top end Fenix 3 with HR strap) for several weeks; The stats say I should have been losing 1-2 lbs a week but my weight barley budged. I then get demoralised have a bit of a binge and back to weight gain. again my consumption is only 300 calories over budget but the pounds come flooding back on on days not weeks (3000 calories = 1 pound weight gain)

I have decided to come of the drug over the summer months as my asthma is seasonal.
I will post updates on how my weight is.

As a side note I have been off the drug for a few days and the thought clarity and concentration feel a lot better motivation is also coming back.

Thank you for your input! It was the "BEST" advice! And I have reported it!

To report complaints -- go to
www.fda.gov.
Click on "Report a problem"
Click on Med Watch Reporting
And write the issue of weight gain on "Voluntary Consumer
Many Thanks to the person who gave this advice!
If "you" don't report the weight gain -- the manufacturer will not list it as a side effect. They NEED to know!

I have also gained 15 lbs since i atarted taking singulair. I will stop taking it immediately.

Same exact symptoms here as well !