MedDataToolMontelukast
Generic: Montelukast Sodium
Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist✓ FDA-verified
View full FDA label ↗Montelukast is a medication used to prevent asthma attacks, manage exercise-induced breathing problems, and relieve symptoms of allergies like sneezing and runny nose. It works by blocking certain substances in the body that cause inflammation and constriction in the airways. The medication is taken as a chewable tablet once a day, with the starting dose being one 4-mg tablet for children aged 2 to 5 years, one 5-mg tablet for children aged 6 to 14 years, and one 10-mg tablet for adults and adolescents aged 15 years and older. It’s important to note that montelukast should not be used by anyone who is allergic to any of its ingredients. Additionally, if you are taking the medication with gemfibrozil, a cholesterol-lowering drug, it may increase the levels of montelukast in your body, so monitoring may be needed.
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Uses
- Prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma in patients 2 years and older.
- Acute prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in patients 6 years and older.
- Relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis in patients 2 years and older.
- Relief of perennial allergic rhinitis in patients 2 years and older.
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Dosage
Adults 15 years and older: one 10 mg tablet once daily in the evening.
Children 6 to 14 years: one 5 mg chewable tablet once daily.
Children 2 to 5 years: one 4 mg chewable tablet once daily.
Take one tablet at least 2 hours before exercise for EIB prevention in patients 6 years and older.
Always follow your doctor's specific instructions for your dose.
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Side effects
Common
upper respiratory infectionfeverheadachecoughabdominal painneuropsychiatric events like agitation
Serious
depressionsuicidal thoughts
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Warnings
⚠ Important warnings
- Serious neuropsychiatric events reported, including depression and suicidal thoughts.
- Use cautiously in patients with mild symptoms that can be treated with alternatives.
- Monitor for changes in behavior or new symptoms.
- Discontinue if neuropsychiatric symptoms occur.
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Drug interactions
- Theophyllineno significant effectCaution
- Prednisoneno significant effectCaution
- Warfarinno significant effectCaution
- Gemfibrozilincreases montelukast exposureMonitor
- Itraconazoleno significant effectCaution
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Answers pulled from the FDA label only.
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Medical Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before taking any medication.
Data Source: Publicly available drug labeling information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Data Source: Publicly available drug labeling information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).