{"id":1091,"date":"2023-07-06T10:02:17","date_gmt":"2023-07-06T10:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/?p=1091"},"modified":"2023-09-08T14:41:01","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T14:41:01","slug":"montelukast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/allergy-medications\/montelukast\/","title":{"rendered":"About Montelukast (Singulair): A Patient&#8217;s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Highlights<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Montelukast is a generic drug that treats asthma and allergy symptoms by reducing inflammation in the airways.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>The brand name of montelukast is Singulair.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Montelukast is a long-acting medication taken once daily and comes in granules, chewable tablets, and non-chewable tablets.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>In 2020, the FDA added a black-box warning regarding potential mental health side effects and advising that use should be restricted to allergic rhinitis.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>There are also several common and less-common side effects of montelukast, along with possible drug interactions.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Montelukast (pronounced mon-teh-LOO-kast) is a generic drug that treats the symptoms of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/asthma-medications\/what-is-asthma\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">asthma<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and allergies. It is available by prescription only, so you will need to speak with your healthcare provider to see if montelukast is right for you. Read on to learn more about montelukast, including uses, dosages, side effects, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Is Montelukast and What Is It Used For?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Montelukast (also known as Singulair) is an anti-inflammatory medication and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/asthma-medications\/bronchodilators\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bronchodilator<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that relieves asthma symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath. This drug is often prescribed on a long-term basis for asthma patients as well as for temporary relief of allergic rhinitis symptoms, such as nasal itching, runny noses, congestion, or sneezing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Montelukast was developed in the 1990s after scientists and researchers studied how the body reacts to allergens and other triggers. They identified specific chemical pathways that contribute to asthma and allergy symptoms. Montelukast earned FDA approval for use in the United States in 1998 under the brand name Singulair, with generic versions of the drug entering the market in 2012.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, in 2020, the FDA issued a black-box warning advising that<\/span><b> this medication<\/b> <b>may cause significant mental health side effects<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; see Potential Side Effects below.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>How Does Montelukast Work?<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1094\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2-1.png\" alt=\"montelukast molecule\" width=\"780\" height=\"595\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Montelukast is one of a class of drugs called <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK554445\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">leukotriene receptor antagonists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (LTRAs), which block inflammatory actions in the body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two types of leukotriene receptors: LTR1 and LTR2.\u00a0 When leukotriene binds to these receptors, it triggers a series of events that lead to an increase in mucus production and narrowing of the airways. Leukotriene receptor antagonists target both types, but they have a greater effect on LTR1 receptors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Specifically, montelukast blocks leukotriene D4 to decrease inflammation in the airways and relax the muscles, which helps to relieve asthma and allergy symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Formulas Are Available for Montelukast?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Montelukast is available in its generic form as a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/medicine_details\/montelukast-sod-10-mg-tablet\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tablet<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/Medicine_Details\/montelukast-sod-5-mg-tab-chew\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">chewable tablet<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/medicine_details\/montelukast-sod-4-mg-granules\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">granules<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It is also available as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/medicine_details\/singulair-10-mg-tablet\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Singulair in tablet form<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Montelukast Dosage and Administration<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Montelukast is available in 4 milligram, 5 milligram, and 10 milligram strengths.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 4 milligram strength is only available in the granule form and is recommended for children between 12 months and 5 years of age.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 5 milligram dose is available as both granules and a chewable tablet taken once per day. This dose is recommended for children between 6 years and 14 years of age.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 10 milligram dose is available only as a non-chewable tablet taken once per day and is recommended for individuals who are 15 years or older.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>How Should I Take Montelukast?<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1096\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/montelukast-box.jpg\" alt=\"montelukast box\" width=\"780\" height=\"585\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many doctors recommend taking montelukast in the evening. However, your doctor may suggest taking montelukast 1-2 hours prior to exercise if exercise worsens your asthma symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For young children taking granules, the granules can be placed directly on the tongue or mixed with a spoonful of soft food, such as yogurt or applesauce. The entire dose should be taken within 15 minutes. Avoid mixing the granules in a drink; however, you can give your child a drink after they swallow all of the granules.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chewable tablets should be taken one hour before food or two hours after food to ensure proper absorption.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The non-chewable tablets can be taken with or without food.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Are the Potential Side Effects of Montelukast?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Montelukast can produce significant side effects, some common and some less common but more serious.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common Side Effects\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cough<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fever<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stuffy or runny nose<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ear infections<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ear aches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sinus infections<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upper respiratory infections<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sore throat<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stomach pains<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Body aches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trouble swallowing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Voice changes or loss of voice<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tender or swollen glands in the neck<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less-Common Side Effects<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Should be reported to your doctor and include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hives<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skin rashes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bruising<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bleeding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain or muscle weakness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bloody nose<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joint pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blurred vision<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heartburn<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dental pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pus in the urine<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In many cases, common side effects appear as your body adjusts to the medication and will usually go away on their own. However, it\u2019s always advisable to speak with your doctor if you are concerned about any side effects you\u2019re experiencing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental Health Side Effects<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2020, the FDA added a black-box warning to montelukast, advising that this medication can cause suicidal thoughts, aggressive behavior, depression, attention problems, anxiety, confusion or disorientation, or irritability. The FDA does not specify how common these side effects are:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAll medicines have side effects even when used correctly as prescribed. It is important to know that people respond differently to all medicines depending on their health, the diseases they have, genetic factors, other medicines they are taking, and many other factors. As a result, we cannot determine how likely it is that someone will experience these side effects when taking montelukast.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of the potential for mental health side effects, the FDA recommends that this medication be reserved for patients who have not responded adequately to other asthma-controller medications or cannot tolerate these medications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you experience mental health symptoms like agitation, aggression, confusion, memory loss, unusual dreams, hallucinations, depression, or suicidal thoughts, stop taking montelukast and call your doctor. Note that these side effects can occur at any time after starting the medication and can continue after stopping it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For more information, please consult the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/drug-safety-and-availability\/fda-requires-boxed-warning-about-serious-mental-health-side-effects-asthma-and-allergy-drug\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FDA warning<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Should I Avoid When Taking Montelukast?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People taking certain medications or supplements should let their doctor know before starting this medication; they may need to avoid montelukast. (See Potential Drug Interactions below.)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patients with existing mental health issues should talk to their doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medication. (See Potential Side Effects above.)<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Montelukast?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next dose the following day at your normal time. Never take two doses in a single day to make up for a missed dose.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Should I Do If I Overdose on Montelukast?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you overdose on montelukast, call your Poison Control Center or seek medical attention immediately. The National Poison Control hotline is open 24\/7 at 1-800-222-1222.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Who Should Not Take Montelukast?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should not take montelukast if you are allergic to it. Your doctor should know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a history of mental illness, psychosis, liver disease, or a history of severe allergic reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Are There any Potential Drug Interactions With Montelukast?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. If you\u2019re taking any of the following, be sure your doctor knows before you start taking montelukast:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> NSAIDs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, can increase the risk of liver damage when taken with montelukast.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stimulants, such as amphetamines and caffeine. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These medications can increase the metabolism of montelukast and make it less effective.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Herbal supplements, such as St. John&#8217;s wort and ginkgo biloba. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These supplements can also interact with montelukast and make it less effective.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>CYP2C8 substrates, such as the antimalarial drug amodiaquine. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Montelukast inhibits the drug-metabolizing enzyme CYP2C8. A combination of montelukast with a CYP2C8 substrate could increase the plasma concentration of the substrate.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>People with phenylketonuria (PKU) should avoid the chewable tablet formulation of montelukast.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This form of the medication contains aspartame, which can make this condition worse.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Get the Lowest Price for Montelukast With BidRx<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Montelukast has been deemed safe for most patients and can provide much-needed relief for asthma and allergy symptoms. Get the lowest price on montelukast by letting pharmacies compete for your business. Sign up for a free account and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/Contents\/customers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">create your bid today<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Montelukast has been a go-to drug for asthma and allergies. Here\u2019s what patients need to know about taking montelukast and who should not take this medication. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1297,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1091","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-allergy-medications","category-asthma-medications"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1091","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1091"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1091\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1108,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1091\/revisions\/1108"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1297"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1091"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1091"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}