Brand Name: Singulair
Generic Name: Montelukast

Montelukast

(mon-te-LOO-kast)

NEWLY DISCOVERED USES (OFF-LABEL)
Nasal polyps, urticaria

ORIGINAL USES (ON-LABEL)
Prevention and chronic treatment of asthma in adults and children (at least one year of age) and the relief of symptoms of seasonal allergies in adults and children (at least two years of age)

BRAND NAME
Singulair

DRUG CLASS
Asthma (leukotriene receptor antagonist)

DESCRIPTION
This drug acts on leukotrienes, a substance which is responsible for causing constriction and difficulty breathing in the lungs.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Headache, dizziness, fatigue, fever, rash, dental pain, gastroenteritis, abdominal pain, weakness, nasal congestion, upper respiratory infection, flu-like symptoms, upset stomach.

CAUTIONS

• This medication has not been approved by the FDA for the reversal of bronchospasm in acute asthma attacks.

DRUG INTERACTIONS
This drug is metabolized (inactivated) by a specific set of liver enzymes. Several other drugs interfere with these liver enzymes, and thus may increase or decrease the clearance of montelukast from the body, and often requiring dosage adjustments when they are administered in combination. As these are too numerous to list, you should always check with your doctor or pharmacist prior to starting a new medication.

FOOD INTERACTIONS
Unknown

HERBAL INTERACTIONS
St. John’s wort

PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING CAUTIONS
FDA Pregnancy Risk Category C. It is not known if this drug is excreted in breast milk. Use with caution in breast-feeding.

SPECIAL INFORMATION
Chewable tablets contain phenylalanine. This medication is not useful for an acute asthma attack. Take medication according to your doctor’s instructions, even if you are not symptomatic.