Brand Name: Singulair
Generic Name: montelukast (mon the LOO kast)

Singulair. Common Uses.

Singulair is taken to prevent and treat asthma. The oral tablets are for asthma patients 15 years and older, and the chewable tablets are for pediatric patients 2 years of age and older. It is very important that you continue taking your other asthma medicines unless your health care provider tells you to stop.

Singulair. How to Take.

Take Singulair exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Singulair 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.

If you already take Singulair to prevent asthma or allergy symptoms, do not use it for exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

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.

Singulair. Warning and Precautions.

Singulair is not a steroid. Generic Singulair should not be used for the fast relief of acute asthma attacks or to prevent or treat asthma made worse by exercise. You should still have rescue medication available. You should continue to take your other asthma medications unless your doctor tells you to stop. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Generic Singulair may not be right for you. If you are breast-feeding, Singulair may be passed in your milk to your baby. You should consult your doctor before taking Singulair if you are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed. Talk about any medical problems or allergies you have now or had in the past. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, and herbal supplements. Some medicines may affect how Singulair works, or Singulair may affect how your other medicines work.

Singulair. Missed Dose.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Singulair. Overdose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a Singulair overdose are not known.

Singulair. Storage.

Store Singulair at room temperature, in a sealed container. Generic Singulair should be kept away from direct sunlight.

Singulair. Possible Side Effects.

Singulair is generally well tolerated by children. The most common side effects include stomach pain, stomach or intestinal upset, heartburn, tiredness, fever, stuffy nose, cough, flu, upper respiratory infection, dizziness, headache, and rash. Be sure to tell your doctor right away if your child taking Singulair gets a feeling of pins and needles or numbness of his arms or legs, flu-like illness, rash, or severe pain and swelling of his sinuses.

Less common side effects include agitation and aggressive behavior, allergic reactions, hives, and itching, bad or vivid dreams, increased bleeding tendency, bruising, diarrhea, drowsiness, hallucinations, hepatitis, indigestion, pancreatitis, irritability, joint pain, muscle aches and muscle cramps, nausea, palpitations, pins and needles/numbness, restlessness, seizures, swelling, trouble sleeping, and vomiting.

More Information about Singulair.

Do not use Singulair to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough to reverse your symptoms. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medication to treat an asthma attack. Talk with your doctor if any of your asthma medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing asthma attacks. It may take up to several weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after several weeks of treatment.

Asthma is often treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor, even if you have no asthma symptoms.

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.

Call your doctor right away if you feel that this medicine is not working as well as usual, or if it makes your condition worse. If it seems like you need to use more of any of your medications in a 24-hour period, talk with your doctor.

Disclaimer.

This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information . It is not containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.