What is Singulair
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.
Do not give Singulair to a child without a doctor's advice.
Singulair is also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (narrowing of the air passages in the lungs) in people who are not already taking this medicine for other conditions.
If you already take Singulair to prevent asthma or allergy symptoms, do not use it for exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.
Singulair may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
The most important information about Singulair
Do not use Singulair to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough to reverse your symptoms. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medication 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 asthma attacks. It may take up to several weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with 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.
What to discuss with your doctor before taking Singulair
Do not use Singulair if you are allergic to montelukast.
Before using Singulair, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially aspirin), or if you have liver disease. You may not be able to use Singulair, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
The chewable tablet form of Singulair may contain up to 0.842 milligrams of phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of Singulair if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
FDA pregnancy category B. Singulair 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 Singulair passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Singulair without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How to take Singulair
Take Singulair exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Singulair 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.
For exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, take a single dose of Singulair at least 2 hours before you exercise, and do not take another dose for at least 24 hours. 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.
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.
Do not use Singulair to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough to reverse your symptoms. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medication 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 asthma attacks. It may take up to several weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after several weeks of treatment.
Asthma is often treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor, even if you have no asthma symptoms.
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.
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.
Store Singulair at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not open a packet of oral granules until you are ready to use the medicine.
What happens in case of missing a dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens in case of overdosing
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of a Singulair overdose are not known.
What to avoid while taking Singulair
Avoid situations or activities that may trigger an asthma attack.
Singulair side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: 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:
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skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
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severe sinus pain, swelling, or irritation; or
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worsening asthma symptoms.
Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:
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upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea;
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mouth pain;
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tired feeling;
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dizziness, headache;
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sore throat, cough, hoarseness; or
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stuffy nose.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Other drugs which affect Singulair
Before using Singulair, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
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phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or
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rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Singulair, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Singulair. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where to get more information
What does the medication look like
Montelukast is available with a prescription under the brand name Singulair. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about Singulair, especially if it is new to you.
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Singulair only for the indication prescribed.
