* Generic Name: montelukast sodium
* Brand Name: Singulair
* What is montelukast (Singulair)?
* What are the possible side effects of montelukast (Singulair)?
* What is the most important information I should know about
montelukast (Singulair)?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
montelukast (Singulair)?
* How should I take montelukast (Singulair)?
* What happens if I miss a dose (Singulair)?
* What happens if I overdose (Singulair)?
* What should I avoid while taking montelukast (Singulair)?
* What other drugs will affect montelukast (Singulair)?
* Where can I get more information (Singulair)?
What is montelukast (Singulair)?
Montelukast 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.
Montelukast is used to prevent asthma attacks in adults and children as
young as 12 months old. Montelukast is also used to prevent
exercise-induced bronchospasm in adults and children who are at
least 6 years old.
Montelukast is also used to treat symptoms of year-round (perennial)
allergies in adults and children who are at least 6 months old. It is
also used to treat symptoms of seasonal allergies in adults and
children who are at least 2 years old.
Do not give this medicine to a child without a doctor's advice.
Montelukast 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 montelukast to prevent asthma or allergy symptoms,
do not use an extra dose to treat exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.
Montelukast may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What are the possible side effects of montelukast (Singulair)?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
* unusual changes in mood or behavior;
* skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle
weakness;
* ear pain, swelling, or warmth; or
* severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face
or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or
purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper
body) and causes blistering and peeling.
Common side effects may include:
* stomach pain, diarrhea;
* fever or other flu symptoms;
* cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus pain, cough,
sore throat;
* headache; or
* bed-wetting or loss of bladder control in children.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about montelukast
(Singulair)?
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of
your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies,
and all medicines you use.
Singulair Patient Information including How Should I Take
Asthma:An Inflammatory Disorder of the Airways
Asthma Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Take the Asthma Quiz!
Asthma: 10 Worst Cities for Asthma
10 Worst Cities for Asthma Slideshow Pictures
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking montelukast
(Singulair)?
You should not use montelukast if you are allergic to it.
To make sure montelukast is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
* asthma, or a history of severe allergic reaction to aspirin.
The chewable tablet may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor
before using this form of montelukast if you have phenylketonuria
(PKU).
Montelukast is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your
doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether montelukast passes into breast milk or if it
could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should I take montelukast (Singulair)?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this
medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Montelukast is usually taken once daily in the evening for prevention
of asthma or allergy symptoms. For exercise-induced
bronchoconstriction, take a single dose at least 2 hours before you
exercise, and do not take another dose for at least 24 hours. Follow
your doctor's instructions.
Montelukast is not a rescue medicine. It will not work fast enough to
treat an asthma attack. Use only a fast acting inhalation medicine for
an asthma attack. Tell your doctor if it seems like your asthma
medications don't work as well.
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.
After opening or mixing the oral granules, you must use them within 15
minutes. Do not save an open packet or mixed medicine for later use.
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.
If you also take a steroid asthma medicine, do not stop using it
suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less
and less before you stop the medication completely.
Asthma is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all
medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or
patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your
doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice, even if you
have no asthma symptoms.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not open a
packet of oral granules until you are ready to use the medicine.
Singulair Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
Asthma:An Inflammatory Disorder of the Airways
Asthma Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Take the Asthma Quiz!
Asthma: 10 Worst Cities for Asthma
10 Worst Cities for Asthma Slideshow Pictures
What happens if I miss a dose (Singulair)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose (Singulair)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking montelukast (Singulair)?
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 (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
while you are taking montelukast. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil,
Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac,
indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.
What other drugs will affect montelukast (Singulair)?
Other drugs may interact with montelukast, including prescription and
over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of
your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any
medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information (Singulair)?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about montelukast.
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