Drug Name: Singulair
Brand Names: Singulair
Generic Name: Montelukast (mon te loo' kast)
Uses: Singulair is used for the treatment of asthma and of hay fever. Children with asthma as young as 12 months can use Singulair. For hay fever, outdoor allergies can be treated using Singulair in children as young as 2 years and 6 months for indoor allergies. The medicine can only begin to work in 3 to 14 though, so it is not used for the treatment of acute asthmatic attacks. Therefore, it is used for the long term prevention of asthma. Singulair works by blocking the action of substances that are responsible in causing inflammation, fluid retention, mucous secretion and constriction in the lungs. It then relaxes the walls of the bronchial tubes to expand the airways and permit more air to pass through.
How to use: Singulair comes in tablet and in oral granule forms. There are also chewable tablets available. For the treatment of asthma, it should be taken in the evening. And for hay fever or allergies, it can be taken any time. It can be taken with or without food. For adults and children above 15 years of age, the usual dose is at 10 mg per day. For children 6 to 14 years old, 5mg per day is the usual dose. And 4mg is the dosage for children 2 to 5 years of age and 12 to 23 months for asthma treatment. The oral granules should be given directly in the child’s mouth and not dissolved in liquid. However, it can be mixed with a spoonful of soft food such as applesauce, carrots, rice or ice cream. The food should be cold or at room temperature and once the packet of oral granules is opened it should be taken within 15 minutes.
Side Effects: The most common side effects of Singulair are mild headache, ear infection, sore throat and upper respiratory infection. Other symptoms that may be experienced are dizziness, tiredness, tooth pain, stuffy nose and cough. These are only mild symptoms and do not necessarily need medical attention unless they become bothersome. Severe symptoms though of difficulty in breathing, rash, fever and flu-like symptoms should be notified immediately to your doctor.
Precautions: Inform your doctor if you have or had a history of phenylketonuria or liver disease and if you are taking other prescribed and nonprescribed medications. You should also inform your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or become pregnant during the treatment.
Drug Interaction: Singulair interacts with Phenobarbital and Rifampin. These medications increase the blood concentration of Singulair by 40%. There may be a need for dose adjustment in this case.
Overdose: Get immediate medical attention in case of an overdose.
Notes: Keep all your doctor’s appointments and laboratory schedules. Don’t let anyone take your Singulair medication.
Missed Dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. Do not wait for the next one, if however it almost time for the next one just skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Never double up your doses.
Important Note: Taking Singulair will not stop an acute asthma attack that has already started. Continue using the medication that was prescribed for these attacks.
Storage: Keep Singulair in a tightly closed container and store at room temperature. Keep it away from excess heat and moisture. Don’t store it inside the bathroom.
Additional Singulair information:
Product information for consumers
Important drug details at Medline Plus
