montelukast (Singulair)

Brand Names: Singulair

Generic Name: montelukast

• 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)?

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 bronchoconstriction (narrowing of the air passages in the lungs) 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.

Montelukast is used for allergies, only after other treatments have failed.

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.

000069117_PB

square, brown, imprinted with SINGULAIR, MSD 117

000540259_PB

round, brown, imprinted with 54 157

000540288_PB

oval, pink, imprinted with 54 144

000540289_PB

round, pink, imprinted with 54 741

000937424_PB

triangular, pink, imprinted with TV, 7424

000937425_PB

square, pink, imprinted with TV, 7425

000937426_PB

round, brown, imprinted with TV, 7426

007815554_PB

round, pink, cherry, imprinted with SZ 74

007815555_PB

round, pink, imprinted with SZ 76

136680079_PB

oval, pink, imprinted with 4MG, 1079

136680080_PB

round, pink, imprinted with 5 MG, 1080

422910621_PB

round, white, imprinted with KU, 210

422910622_PB

round, pink, imprinted with KU, 204

422910623_PB

round, pink, imprinted with KU, 205

551110725_PB

square, brown, imprinted with R, 725

605053562_PB

square, beige, imprinted with APO, M10

621750210_PB

round, white, imprinted with KU, 210

Montelukast 10 mg 009046529

round, beige, imprinted with E225

Montelukast 10 mg 167290119

square, brown, imprinted with M 10

Montelukast 10 mg 317220726

square, beige, imprinted with I, 114

Montelukast 10 mg-TOR

round, brown, imprinted with 10MG, 1081

Montelukast Sodium 10 mg 009046808

square, beige, imprinted with I, 114

Singulair 10 mg

square, beige, imprinted with SINGULAIR, MRK 117

Singulair 4 mg chewable

oval, pink, cherry, imprinted with SINGULAIR, MRK 711

Singulair 5 mg

round, pink, cherry, imprinted with SINGULAIR, MRK 275

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Tell your doctor right away if you have signs of blood vessel inflammation: flu-like symptoms, feeling weak or tired, skin rash, tingling or numbness in your arms or legs, severe sinus pain.

Some people using montelukast have had new or worsening mental problems. Stop taking motelukast and call your doctor right away if you have unusual changes in mood or behavior, such as:

• anger, aggression, feeling restless or irritable;
• agitation, anxiety, depression, confusion, problems with memory or attention;
• suicidal thoughts or actions;
• hallucinations, sleep problems, strange dreams, sleep-walking; or
• compulsive or repetitive behaviors.

Common side effects may include:

• stomach pain, diarrhea;
• fever or other flu symptoms;
• ear pain or full feeling, trouble hearing;
• headache; or
• cold symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose, sinus pain, cough, sore throat.

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.

Some people using montelukast have had new or worsening mental problems. Stop taking montelukast and call your doctor right away if you have any unusual changes in mood or behavior (such as anger, aggression, confusion, sleep problems, compulsive behaviors, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts or actions).

You should not use montelukast if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• mental illness or psychosis; or
• asthma, or a history of severe allergic reaction (sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, wheezing, shortness of breath) after taking aspirin or another NSAID.

The chewable tablet may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do not give this medicine to a child without a doctor's advice.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

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 for asthma or bronchospasm attacks. Use only fast-acting inhalation medicine for an attack. Seek medical attention if your breathing problems get worse quickly, or if you think your medications are not working as well.

Swallow the regular tablet whole, with a glass of water.

You must chew the chewable tablet 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.

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.

Use all asthma medications as directed. Your dose needs may change due to surgery, illness, stress, or a recent asthma attack. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice. Tell your doctor if any of your medicines seem to stop working.

If you also use an oral steroid medication, you should not stop using it suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

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.

QUESTION

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease. See Answer

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

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.

Other drugs may affect montelukast, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about montelukast.

Copyright 1996-2019 Cerner Multum, Inc.