Montelukast
Drug Info
Generic Name: montelukast (mon the LOO kast)
Brand Names: Singulair
Montelukast is used for:
Prevention and long-term treatment of asthma. It is also used
to relieve allergy symptoms. It may also be used for other conditions
as determined by your doctor.
Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist. It works by
blocking a substance called leukotriene, which helps to decrease
certain asthma and allergy symptoms.
Do NOT use Montelukast if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Montelukast
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any
of these apply to you.
Before using Montelukast :
Some medical conditions may interact with Montelukast . Tell
your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions,
especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation,
or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have liver problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Montelukast . Tell your health
care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially
any of the following:
Certain anticonvulsants (eg, phenobarbital) or rifampin because
they may decrease Montelukast 's effectiveness
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may
occur. Ask your health care provider if Montelukast may interact
with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care
provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Montelukast :
Use Montelukast as directed by your doctor. Check the label
on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. Check the label
on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
An extra patient leaflet is available with Montelukast .
Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
Montelukast may be taken with or without food.
Continue to use Montelukast even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
If you miss a dose of Montelukast , take it as soon as possible. If it is
almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Go back to your regular
dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about
how to use Montelukast .
Important safety information:
Montelukast may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects
may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines.
Use Montelukast with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly
unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Montelukast will not stop an asthma attack once one has started. Be sure
you always carry appropriate medicine (eg, bronchodilator inhalers) with you
in case of an asthma attack.
Contact your doctor promptly if your short-acting inhaler use increases or
if use exceeds the 24-hour maximum prescribed by your doctor. Contact your
doctor if your asthma worsens.
Do not decrease your dose or stop using Montelukast or other asthma medicines
without first checking with your doctor.
If your asthma is sensitive to aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), continue to avoid those medicines as directed
by your doctor.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor
right away. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Montelukast
while you are pregnant. It is not known if Montelukast is found in breast milk.
If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Montelukast , check
with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby. Possible side effects of Montelukast :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no,
or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these
most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Cough; dizziness; headache; indigestion; nausea; stomach upset
or pain; stuffy nose; tiredness; trouble sleeping; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side
effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing;
tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or
tongue); aggressive behavior; agitation; dark urine; fever; flu-like
symptoms; hallucinations; irregular heartbeat; new or worsening
wheezing or other breathing problems; numbness or tingling of
hands or feet; seizures; severe or persistent stomach pain; severe
sinus inflammation; swelling; unusual bruising or bleeding; upper
respiratory tract infection; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur.
If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects,
contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side
effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control
Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm),
or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include hyperactivity;
severe or persistent headache; stomach pain; unusual drowsiness
or restlessness; unusual thirst; vomiting.
Proper storage of Montelukast :
Store Montelukast at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage
at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees
C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do
not store in the bathroom. Keep Montelukast out of the reach
of children and away from pets.
General information:
If you have any questions about Montelukast , please talk
with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Montelukast is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed.
Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your
doctor.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all
information about Montelukast . If you have questions about the
medicine you are taking or would like more information, check
with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. |