Singulair (montelukast sodium) dose indications

Singulair (Montelukast)

Singulair is the brand name of montelukast, a drug prescribed for people with asthma.
Singulair helps prevent the wheezing and shortness of breath caused by asthma attacks.
Singulair can also help decrease the frequency of asthma attacks, and it may be used to relieve the symptoms of hay fever, allergic rhinitis, and other allergies that cause sneezing and stuffy, runny, or itchy nose.
You can also take it to prevent exercise-induced asthma.
Singulair works by blocking certain natural substances called leukotrienes that may cause or worsen asthma and allergies.
Leukotrienes — chemicals your body releases when you breathe in an allergen, such as pollen — cause swelling in your lungs and tightening of the muscles around your airways, which can result in asthma symptoms.
Singulair is made by Merck and was approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 for treatment of asthma-related symptoms.
The FDA has approved several generic versions of montelukast, but Singulair continues to be the most popular prescribed brand.
In 2008, the FDA announced that it would investigate whether mood changes and suicidal thoughts were possible side effects of leukotriene modulator drugs, including Singulair.
Clinical trials revealed only an increased risk of insomnia, but surveys showed that the drugs are also associated with a possible increase in suicidal behavior, agitation, aggression, irritability, hallucinations, and depression.

Singulair Warnings

Singulair will not work fast enough to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. You should use a fast-acting inhalation medicine to treat an asthma attack.
It may take up to several weeks before your symptoms improve after starting Singulair.
You should call your doctor right away if you feel Singulair 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, including Singulair in a 24-hour period, talk with your doctor.
Before using Singulair, tell your doctor about your complete medical history, especially if you have liver disease (in some reports, the drug has been associated with liver damage).
Call your doctor at once if you have any mood or behavior changes, anxiety, depression, or thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Pregnancy and Singulair

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It's unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Singulair Side Effects

Most people who use Singulair do not have serious side effects.
Singulair does have some common side effects that should decrease or go away in time. These include:

• Headache
• Stomach pain, heartburn, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea
• Tooth pain
• Tired feeling
• Dizziness
• Fever, stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, hoarseness
• Mild rash
• Upper respiratory infection
• Earache or ear infection
• Score throat or cough

If these symptoms continue or get worse, call your doctor.

Serious Side Effects of Singulair

Tell your doctor immediately or get emergency help if you have any of these rare but serious side effects:

• Skin rash, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness
• Mood or behavior changes, anxiety, depression, or thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself
• Tremors or shaking
• Easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin
• Severe sinus pain, swelling, or irritation
• Worsening asthma symptoms

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any of the symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• Rash or hives
• Itching or swelling, especially of the face, tongue, or throat
• Severe dizziness
• Trouble breathing

If you notice other side effects, contact your doctor.

Singulair Interactions

Other drugs may interact with montelukast.
Tell your doctor about all the medications you use, including prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), vitamin, and herbal products.
Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
You should especially let your doctor know if you are using drugs containing phenobarbital or rifampin.
The chewable tablets of Singulair may contain aspartame. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU) or any other condition where your doctor has told you to avoid aspartame, ask your doctor or pharmacist about using montelukast safely.
If your asthma symptoms get worse when you take aspirin, avoid taking aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) while taking montelukast.
NSAIDs include ibuprofen, which is commonly found in over-the-counter medications such as Motrin and Advil, and naproxen, the key ingredient in Aleve and Naprosyn.

Singulair Dosage

Singulair is available as chewable tablets for children and oral granules, and tablets for adults.

• Adults and adolescents 15 years and older: one 10 mg tablet daily
• Children ages 6 to 14: one 5 mg chewable tablet or one packet of 4 mg oral granules daily
• Children ages 2 to 5: one packet of 4 mg granules daily, or a 4 mg chewable tablet

Contact your doctor before giving Singulair to a child, especially if under that age of 2.
Your doctor may recommend that you take Singulair in the evening, but it can be taken during the daytime, as long as you take it around the same time each day.
Singulair does not work immediately and should not be used to treat sudden asthma attacks or other breathing problems.

Singulair Overdose

If you think you have taken an overdose of Singulair, contact a poison control center or go to an emergency room immediately.
Symptoms of an overdose may include:

• Thirst
• Drowsiness
• Inability to keep still
• Vomiting
• Severe stomach pain

Missed Dose of Singulair

If you miss taking your dose of Singulair, take it 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 for a missed dose.