Singulair

Singulair

     * Generic Name: montelukast sodium
     * Brand Name: Singulair


     * What is montelukast (Singulair)?
     * What are the possible side effects of montelukast (Singulair)?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       montelukast (Singulair)?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       montelukast (Singulair)?
     * How should I take montelukast (Singulair)?
     * What happens if I miss a dose (Singulair)?
     * What happens if I overdose (Singulair)?
     * What should I avoid while taking montelukast (Singulair)?
     * What other drugs will affect montelukast (Singulair)?
     * Where can I get more information (Singulair)?

What is montelukast (Singulair)?

   Montelukast 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.

   Montelukast is used to prevent asthma attacks in adults and children as
   young as 12 months old. Montelukast is also used to prevent
   exercise-induced bronchospasm in adults and children who are at
   least 6 years old.

   Montelukast 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.

   Do not give this medicine to a child without a doctor's advice.

   Montelukast is also used to prevent exercise-induced
   bronchoconstriction (narrowing of the air passages in the lungs) in
   adults and teenagers who are at least 15 years old and are not already
   taking this medicine for other conditions.

   If you already take montelukast to prevent asthma or allergy symptoms,
   do not use an extra dose to treat exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

   Montelukast may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of montelukast (Singulair)?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
   hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
   throat.

   Call your doctor at once if you have:
     * unusual changes in mood or behavior;
     * skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle
       weakness;
     * ear pain, swelling, or warmth; or
     * severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face
       or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or
       purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper
       body) and causes blistering and peeling.

   Common side effects may include:
     * stomach pain, diarrhea;
     * fever or other flu symptoms;
     * cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus pain, cough,
       sore throat;
     * headache; or
     * bed-wetting or loss of bladder control in children.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about montelukast
(Singulair)?

   Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of
   your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies,
   and all medicines you use.

   Singulair Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Asthma:An Inflammatory Disorder of the Airways

   Asthma Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the Asthma Quiz!
   Asthma: 10 Worst Cities for Asthma

   10 Worst Cities for Asthma Slideshow Pictures

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking montelukast
(Singulair)?

   You should not use montelukast if you are allergic to it.

   To make sure montelukast is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
     * asthma, or a history of severe allergic reaction to aspirin.

   The chewable tablet may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor
   before using this form of montelukast if you have phenylketonuria
   (PKU).

   Montelukast is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your
   doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

   It is not known whether montelukast passes into breast milk or if it
   could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
   baby.

How should I take montelukast (Singulair)?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this
   medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

   Montelukast is usually taken once daily in the evening for prevention
   of asthma or allergy symptoms. For exercise-induced
   bronchoconstriction, take a single dose at least 2 hours before you
   exercise, and do not take another dose for at least 24 hours. Follow
   your doctor's instructions.

   Montelukast is not a rescue medicine. It will not work fast enough to
   treat an asthma attack. Use only a fast acting inhalation medicine for
   an asthma attack. Tell your doctor if it seems like your asthma
   medications don't work as well.

   Swallow the regular tablet whole, with a glass of water.

   The chewable tablet must be chewed completely before you swallow it.

   The oral granules can be placed directly into the mouth and swallowed,
   or mixed with a spoonful of applesauce, mashed carrots, rice, or ice
   cream. Oral granules can also be mixed with 1 teaspoon of baby
   formula or breast milk. Do not use any other type of liquid for mixing
   the granules. Other liquids can be taken before or after taking the
   medicine.

   After opening or mixing the oral granules, you must use them within 15
   minutes. Do not save an open packet or mixed medicine for later use.

   It may take up to several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep
   using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms
   do not improve after several weeks of treatment.

   If you also take a steroid asthma medicine, do not stop using it
   suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less
   and less before you stop the medication completely.

   Asthma is usually treated with a combination of drugs. Use all
   medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or
   patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your
   doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice, even if you
   have no asthma symptoms.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not open a
   packet of oral granules until you are ready to use the medicine.

   Singulair Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Asthma:An Inflammatory Disorder of the Airways

   Asthma Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the Asthma Quiz!
   Asthma: 10 Worst Cities for Asthma

   10 Worst Cities for Asthma Slideshow Pictures

What happens if I miss a dose (Singulair)?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
   it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Singulair)?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking montelukast (Singulair)?

   Avoid situations or activities that may trigger an asthma attack.

   If your asthma symptoms get worse when you take aspirin, avoid taking
   aspirin or other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
   while you are taking montelukast. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil,
   Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac,
   indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

What other drugs will affect montelukast (Singulair)?

   Other drugs may interact with montelukast, including prescription and
   over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of
   your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any
   medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information (Singulair)?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about montelukast.
     __________________________________________________________________

   Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
   children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
   medication only for the indication prescribed.
   Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by
   Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
   but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
   herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
   use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
   therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United
   States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
   Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or
   recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational
   resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring
   for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a
   supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill,
   knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a
   warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be
   construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe,
   effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume
   any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the
   aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is
   not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions,
   warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If
   you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your
   doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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