Brand Name: Singulair
Generic Name: Montelukast
Uses and Indications
Singulair is a leukotriene (loo-koe-TRY-een) inhibitor. Leukotrienes are chemicals your body releases when you breathe in an allergen (such as pollen). These chemicals cause swelling in your lungs and tightening of the muscles around your airways, which can result in asthma symptoms.
Singulair is used to prevent asthma attacks in adults and children as young as 12 months old. It is also used to relieve runny nose and sneezing caused by allergies in adults and children as young as 6 months old.
Singulair is also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (narrowing of the air passages in the lungs) in adults and teenagers who are at least 15 years old and are not already taking this medicine for other conditions.
If you already take Singulair to prevent asthma or allergy symptoms, do not use an extra dose to treat exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.
Safe usage and general guidance
Singulair will not work fast enough to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medicine to treat an asthma attack. Talk with your doctor if any of your asthma medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing attacks.
It may take up to several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after several weeks of treatment.
Call your doctor right away if you feel that this medicine is not working as well as usual, or if it makes your condition worse. If it seems like you need to use more of any of your medications in a 24-hour period, talk with your doctor.
If you already take Singulair to prevent asthma or allergy symptoms, do not use it for exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.
Swallow the regular tablet whole, with a glass of water.
The chewable tablet must be chewed completely before you swallow it.
The oral granules can be placed directly into the mouth and swallowed, or mixed with a spoonful of applesauce, mashed carrots, rice, or ice cream. Oral granules can also be mixed with 1 teaspoon of baby formula or breast milk. Do not use any other type of liquid for mixing the granules. Other liquids can be taken before or after taking the medicine.
Precautions and risks
Avoid situations or activities that may trigger an asthma attack.
If your asthma symptoms get worse when you take aspirin, avoid taking aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) while you are taking montelukast. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Singulair: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
- mood or behavior changes, anxiety, depression, or thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself;
- tremors or shaking;
- severe sinus pain, swelling, or irritation; or
- worsening asthma symptoms.
- Less serious Singulair side effects may include:
- headache;
- stomach pain, heartburn, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea;
- tooth pain;
- tired feeling;
- fever, stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, hoarseness; or
- mild rash.
