Generic name:montelukast [ mon-te-LOO-kast ]
Drug class:Leukotriene modifiers
What is Singulair?
Singulair is a leukotriene (loo-koe-TRY-een) inhibitor. Leukotrienes are chemicals your body releases when you breathe in an allergen (such as pollen). These chemicals cause swelling in your lungs and tightening of the muscles around your airways, which can result in asthma symptoms.
Singulair is used to prevent asthma attacks in adults and children as young as 12 months old. Singulair is also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (narrowing of the air passages in the lungs) in adults and children who are at least 6 years old.
Singulair is also used to treat symptoms of year-round (perennial) allergies in adults and children who are at least 6 months old. It is also used to treat symptoms of seasonal allergies in adults and children who are at least 2 years old.
Singulair is used for allergies, only after other treatments have failed.
If you already take Singulair to prevent asthma or allergy symptoms, do not use an extra dose to treat exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.
Warnings
Some people using Singulair have had new or worsening mental problems. Stop taking montelukast and call your doctor right away if you have any unusual changes in mood or behavior (such as anger, aggression, confusion, sleep problems, compulsive behaviors, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts or actions).
Tell your doctor right away if you have signs of blood vessel inflammation: flu-like symptoms, severe sinus pain, a skin rash, numbness or a "pins and needles" feeling in your arms or legs.
Singulair will not work fast enough to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. Use only a fast-a...
