WHAT IS MONTELUKAST?
Montelukast is an oral medication used to treat and prevent asthma. Montelukast tablet also helps reduce the symptoms and number of acute asthmatic attacks. It is also used to prevent exercise — induced bronchoconstriction (narrowing of the air passages in the lungs) and helps treat symptoms of hay fever (allergic rhinitis), including seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, such as runny nose, sneezing, itching or wheezing. Montelukast belongs to a class of drugs called, Leukotriene modifiers. It is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
HOW TO USE MONTELUKAST:
Use Montelukast only as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Follow all the instructions and guidelines of your doctor. Do not use it more often and do not use more of it, use the exact dose prescribed by your doctor. You can take this medicine with or without meal.
For treatment and prevention of asthma, you can use the following oral dose of Montelukast tablets:
- Adults and children of 15 years and older — 10 milligrams once a day in the evening.
- Children younger than 15 years — Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, the following oral dose of Montelukast tablet may be used:
- Adults and children of 15 years and older — 10 milligrams at least 2 hours before workout. Don’t use second dose of Montelukast within 24 hours of your regular dose.
- Children younger than 15 years — Dose must be determined by your doctor.
For seasonal allergic rhinitis, the recommended dose of Montelukast tablet is:
- Adults and children of 15 years and above — 10 milligrams once a day.
- Children younger than 15 years — Dose must be determined by the doctor.
For perennial allergic rhinitis, the recommended dose of Montelukast tablet is:
- Adults and children of 15 years and above — 10 milligrams once a day in the evening.
- Children younger than 15 years — Dose must be determined by the doctor.
MONTELUKAST SIDE EFFECTS:
Common Montelukast side effects may include:
- Fever or other flu — like symptoms
- Headaches
- Stomach pain, diarrhea
- Ear pain, trouble hearing
- Cold symptoms such as stuffy or runny nose, sinus (sinusitis) pain, cough, sore throat.
Tell your doctor or healthcare provider right away if you have any serious side effects, including:
- Numbness, tingling or shooting pain in the arms or legs
- Muscle weakness
- Sinus pain, swelling
- Stuttering
- Uncontrolled muscle movements.
Some people may also experience some mental health problems while using Montelukast medication. In such a situation, stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you’ve unusual changes in behavior or mood, including:
- Aggression, agitation, feeling restless or irritable
- Anxiety, confusion, depression
- Problems with memory or attention
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
- Tremors, stuttering, uncontrolled muscle movements
- Compulsive or repetitive behaviors
- Hallucinations, vivid, dreams, sleep problems, sleep-walking.
MONTELUKAST INTERACTIONS:
Montelukast should not be taken with following medicines due to severe side effects it may cause to patients:
- Lyrica (Pregabalin)
- Aspirin Low Strength (Aspirin)
- Cymbalta (Duloxetine)
- Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)
- Aspir 81 (Aspirin)
- Metoprolol Tartrate (Metoprolol)
- Ventolin HFA (Albuterol)
- Synthroid (Levothyroxine) Tylenol (Acetaminophen)
- Zyrtec (Cetirizine)
- Symbicort (Budesonide, Formoterol)
- Metoprolol Succinate ER (Metoprolol)
- Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
- Breo Ellipta (Fluticasone, Vilanterol)
- Advair Diskus (Fluticasone, Salmeterol)
- Flonase (Fluticasone Nasal)
- ProAir HFA (Albuterol)
- Omega-3 fatty acids (polyunsaturated)
- Grapefruit juice
- Alcohol, tobacco.
PRECAUTIONS:
Before taking Montelukast tablet, tell your doctor or healthcare provider if you are allergic to it or if you have a history of any other allergies.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history; especially of:
- Liver disease
- Mental or mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide
- Phenylketonuria (PKU) — Chewable tablets contain aspartame, which can make the condition worse.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.
This medication may pass into breast milk. However, there are not enough scientific evidence in women for determining risk when using Montelukast medication during breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before breast — feeding.