Montelukast: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What medicine Montelukast?

What is montelukast for?

Montelukast is a medication that is used regularly to prevent wheezing and shortness of breath caused by asthma and reduce the number of asthma attacks. Montelukast is also used before exercise to prevent breathing problems during exercise (bronchospasm). This medication can help reduce the number of times you need to use your rescue inhaler. This medication is also used to relieve symptoms of fever and allergic rhinitis (such as sneezing, stuffiness / runny nose / itching).

This medicine does not work immediately and should not be used to treat sudden asthma attacks or other breathing problems.

This medication works by blocking certain natural substances (leukotrienes) that can cause or worsen asthma and allergies. This medication helps make breathing easier by reducing swelling (inflammation) in the respiratory tract.

How to use Montelukast?

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. If you are using chewable tablets, chew the medicine thoroughly before swallowing it. If your child is unable to chew and swallow the medicine safely, consult a doctor or pharmacist for more advice.

Take this medication at the same time every day. If you are taking this medicine for asthma or for asthma and allergies, take your dose at night. If you are taking montelukast only to prevent allergies, take your dose either in the morning or at night.

If you are taking this medication to prevent breathing problems while exercising, take your dose at least 2 hours before exercise. Don't take more than one dose in 24 hours. Do not take the pre-workout dose if you are already taking this medication daily for asthma or allergies. Doing so can increase the risk of side effects.

Do not increase or decrease the dose or stop using this drug without consulting your doctor. Continue to use this medication regularly to keep your asthma under control, even during sudden asthma attacks or periods when you have no asthma symptoms. Continue to take other medications for asthma as directed by your doctor. This medication works over time and is not meant to relieve sudden asthma attacks. Therefore, if an asthma attack or other breathing problem occurs, use a quick aid such as an inhaler as recommended by your doctor. You should always carry an inhaler with you. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Get medical help right away if your asthma symptoms worsen and your inhaler's quick-help doesn't help. Tell your doctor right away if you have asthma symptoms, breathing problems, allergy symptoms, how many times you have used the inhaler but your condition persists or gets worse.

How to store montelukast?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Montelukast dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Montelukast for adults?

Normal Dosage for Adults with Allergic Rhinitis

10 mg orally once a day. For asthma, the dose must be taken at night. For allergic rhinitis, the individual administration time is according to the patient's needs. Both patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis should take only one dose daily at night.

Normal Dosage for Adults Under Asthma Treatment

10 mg orally once a day. For asthma, the dose must be taken at night. For allergic rhinitis, the time of individual administration is according to the patient's needs. Both patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis should take only one dose daily at night.

Normal Dosage for Adults with Prophylactic Bronchospasm

10 mg orally at least 2 hours before exercise. additional doses should not be taken within 24 hours of the previous dose. Patients who are already taking daily doses of montelukast for other indications (including chronic asthma) should not take additional doses to prevent bronchospasm indications. All patients should be prepared for rescue short-acting beta 2 agonists. Daily administration of montelukast consumption for the treatment of chronic asthma to prevent acute exercise-induced bronchoconstriction episodes is still not available.

What is the dosage of Montelukast for children?

Dosage for children with allergic rhinitis:

Age 15 or older with asthma or allergic rhinitis:

10 mg orally once a day.

Age 6 years to 14 years with asthma or allergic rhinitis:

Take 5 mg of chewable tablets immediately once a day.

Age 2 years to 5 years with asthma or allergic rhinitis:

4 mg chewable tablets or 4 mg granules orally once a day.

Age 1 to 2 years with asthma:

4 mg chewable tablets or 4 mg granules orally once a day at night.

Ages 6 months to 23 months with allergic perennial rhinitis:

4 mg of granules orally once a day

Dosage for Children Under Asthma Treatment

Age 15 years or older with asthma or allergic rhinitis:

10 mg orally once a day.

Age 6 years to 14 years with asthma or allergic rhinitis:

5 mg oral chewable tablet once a day.

Age 2 years to 5 years with asthma or allergic rhinitis:

4 mg chewable tablets or 4 mg granules orally once a day.

Age 1 to 2 years with asthma:

4 mg of granules taken orally once a day at night.

Ages 6 months to 23 months with allergic perennial rhinitis:

4 mg of granules orally once a day.

Normal Dosage for Children with Prophylactic Bronchospasm

Age 15 or older:

10 mg taken by mouth at least 2 hours before exercise.

Age 6 years to 14 years:

Take 5 mg of chewable tablets immediately at least 2 hours before exercise.

In what dosage is montelukast available?

Granules, ready to drink: 4 mg.

Montelukast side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to montelukast?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor if you experience serious side effects such as:

• skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness
• changes in mood or behavior, anxiety, depression, or thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself
• tremor or shaking
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red spots under your skin
• severe sinus pain, swelling, or irritation
• asthma symptoms worsen
• severe skin reactions - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning sensation in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple rash on the skin that spreads (especially on the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache
• stomach pain, heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea
• tooth ache
• tired feeling
• fever, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, hoarseness
• mild rash

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about side effects, please consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Montelukast Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Montelukast?

Before using montelukast, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have any allergies to montelukast or any other medications.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you use or plan to use. Be sure to mention phenobarbital and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane). Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor you to be more careful about side effects.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking montelukast, call your doctor.

You should know that your mental health may change unexpectedly when you use montelukast. You should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: agitation, aggressive behavior, anxiety, irritability, unusual dreams, hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that are not there), depression, trouble sleeping, restlessness, sleep walking, suicidal thoughts or actions (thinking about an act of harming or killing yourself or planning or trying to do it), or tremors (uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body). Your doctor will decide whether you should continue using montelukast.

If you have phenylketonuria (PKU, an inherited condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent mental retardation) you should know that the chewable tablets contain aspartame which forms phenylalanine.

Is montelukast safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or nursing women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

It is not yet known whether Montelukast passes into breast milk or if it could harm the baby while breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Montelukast Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with montelukast?

Interactions with other drugs can affect how the drug works and increase the risk of dangerous side effects. This article does not list all possible drug interactions. Record all medicinal products you use (including prescription, non-prescription and herbal medicines) and show them to your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's permission. Tell your doctor if you are being treated by:

• Clozapine
• Cobicistat
• Nilotinib
• Pixantrone
• Gemfibrozil
• Prednisone

Can food or alcohol interact with montelukast?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

What health conditions can interact with montelukast?

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• allergic to aspirin
• allergic to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, celecoxib, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, or Motrin®) - still avoid aspirin or NSAIDs while using this medicine
• phenylketonuria (PKU) - chewable tablets contain aspartame, which can make this condition worse.

Montelukast overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms may include:

• stomach ache
• drowsiness
• thirsty
• headache
• gag
• restlessness or agitation

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose. Do not use Montelukast more than once in 24 hours.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.