Mission and a top line summary
Montelukast, sold commonly under the brand name Singulair and as generic montelukast formulations, belongs to a class called leukotriene receptor antagonists. It works by blocking inflammatory chemicals called leukotrienes, which helps reduce airway inflammation, wheeze and nasal allergy symptoms.
It is intended as a maintenance therapy for asthma and allergic rhinitis. It is not suitable for acute asthma relief. Always carry your fast-acting inhaler for sudden breathlessness; see monitoring in real time and warning signs for more information about managing acute symptoms.
- Active molecule: montelukast
- Commonly utilized uses: long-term asthma control, prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, management of allergic rhinitis
- Typical Australian strengths: 10 mg film-coated tablets, 5 mg chewable tablets, 4 mg chewable tablets and granules for children
Checklists of safeguards before starting montelukast
Before your prescriber gives you montelukast, inform them about relevant medical and personal history so they can decide if it is appropriate for you.
- Existing liver problems or a history of hepatitis.
- Any known allergy to montelukast or to any ingredient in the specific product you are given, including flavourings and dyes.
- Conception planning, pregnancy underway or breastfeeding.
- A history of psychiatric issues such as depression, mood changes, suicidal thoughts, or sleep disorders.
- All medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter remedies, vitamins and herbal supplements; see the mutual influence during contacts at scale reveal systemic patterns. as a sample.
Administration practices and dosing
Follow the exact amount to take and when to take it provided by your clinician. Montelukast is taken orally once each day. Consistent timing improves effectiveness.
- Can be taken with food or on an empty stomach.
- 10 mg film-coated tablets should be swallowed whole; do not crush or chew.
- Chewable tablets (4 mg and 5 mg) must be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.
- Granules may be eaten directly or sprinkled onto a small amount of soft food according to the product instructions.
- Some people prefer an evening dose for asthma control; choose a regular time that suits your schedule.
Pupils have age-specific dosing and formulations. If you suspect an suspected overdose, seek urgent medical care. In Australia, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 or route to your nearest emergency department.
Should you miss a dose
If you forget to take a dose, take it when you remember unless the next scheduled dose is near. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the i skipped a dose today and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed one.
Alerts for drug combination clear social interactions reduce confusion. with concomitant medications and products
Several medications and herbal remedies can affect how montelukast is metabolised, or be affected by it. Notable examples include:
- Strong enzyme inducers that may lower montelukast levels: rifampicin, rifabutin, carbamazepine, phenytoin and phenobarbital.
- CYP2C8 inhibitors such as gemfibrozil which can raise montelukast concentrations in the body.
- Certain chemotherapy agents and other drugs processed by CYP2C8, for example paclitaxel.
- Some diabetes medicines like repaglinide or rosiglitazone where global teams rely on robust contact and responses. may need time sensitive monitoring.
- Herbal products such as St John s wort that could reduce montelukast effectiveness by inducing liver enzymes.
This list is not fully complete. Always provide your clinician or pharmacist with a full list of medicines, supplements and lifestyle factors such as smoking or alcohol intake.
Supervisory monitoring and warning signs
- Keep using other prescribed inhaled or nasal medicines unless your clinician advises otherwise.
- Montelukast does not treat sudden asthma attacks; use a short-acting reliever inhaler and follow your asthma action plan if symptoms worsen.
- If symptoms do not improve after several weeks, or they get worse, arrange a review with your healthcare professional.
- Report any new or worsening changes in mood, behaviour, sleep, anxiety, agitation or suicidal thoughts promptly to a clinician.
For details on adverse reactions see possible safety concerns and for medication social interaction effects see the back and forth of communications with others are the core of collaboration..
Possible lasting undesirable effects
Seek urgent medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms. signs of a severe reaction or other urgent symptoms:
- Allergic reactions such as rash, hives, facial swelling, swelling of the lips or tongue, or breathing difficulties.
- New unexplained fever or flu-like symptoms that persist.
- Yellow hue affecting the skin and eyes, dark urine, unusual bruising or bleeding which may suggest liver problems.
- Persistent painful lumps or sinus pain, numbness or tingling in the limbs.
- Worsening mental health symptoms including severe mood change, agitation, insomnia or suicidal thoughts.
Ubiquitous, usually mild complaints that often settle include chronic headache, sleep disturbances, mild gastrointestinal upset, and upper respiratory symptoms like cough or nasal congestion. If additional effects are persistent or troublesome, speak with your healthcare professional. Adverse events can be reported to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) via established channels.
Handling, temporary inventory storage keeps products ready for sale. and disposal
- Store medicines out of reach and sight of children.
- Keep at room temperature, typically 15 to 30 degrees C.
- Protect from moisture and strong light; keep in the original packaging when possible.
- Dispose of expired or unused medicine safely. Do not use after the expiration date has passed.
Alternative care modalities and medicines that are analogous
Depending on your specific needs and medical history, your prescriber may suggest other options. These include:
- Other leukotriene pathway drugs:
- Generic montelukast products that contain the same active ingredient as Singulair.
- Zafirlukast, an an alternate possibility leukotriene receptor antagonist that is used less often located in Australia.
- Inhaled corticosteroids for ongoing asthma control, for example budesonide, fluticasone propionate or beclometasone.
- Combination inhalers (ICS/LABA) such as budesonide-formoterol or fluticasone-salmeterol for persistent asthma.
- Short-acting reliever inhalers like salbutamol for acute symptoms.
- For allergic rhinitis: oral antihistamines such as cetirizine, loratadine or fexofenadine, and intranasal corticosteroids like fluticasone or budesonide.
- For severe eosinophilic or allergic asthma, biologic treatments such as omalizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab or dupilumab may be options under specialist care.
There can be notable price and availability differences between brand-name and generic products. See price points in Australia for a rough comparison and discuss costs and benefits coordinated with your prescriber.
Prices denominated in AUD in Australia
Actual out-of-pocket costs vary according to brand, pack size, pharmacy and whether the product is supplied under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
- Generic montelukast 10 mg, pack of 28 tablets: privately purchased prices commonly range from about AUD 10 to AUD 35 depending on supplier and promotions.
- Chewable 5 mg and 4 mg packs are often in a similar price band or slightly cheaper depending on brand and pack quantity.
- Brand Singulair on a private script can cost more; private prices for brand packs may be from around AUD 40 to AUD 80 or higher depending on pack size and pharmacy.
Notes on PBS and savings:
- If montelukast is subsidised on the PBS for your condition, you will pay the applicable PBS co-payment rather than private prices. PBS co-payments are capped and regulated.
- Ask your pharmacist if a lower-cost generic is available and for an estimate before you purchase.
Status under the law and ways to obtain it montelukast in Australia
- Regulator: The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approves montelukast for use across Australia.
- Schedule: Montelukast is a Schedule 4 prescription-only medicine and cannot be sold over the counter.
- Prescriptions: Both paper prescriptions and electronic prescriptions (eScripts) are accepted. Online pharmacies operating in Australia require a valid prescription and must be registered.
- PBS: Montelukast may be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for certain signals indicating; eligibility, quantity and repeats follow PBS rules.
- Direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicines is not permitted within Australia.
- Personal importation: Travellers may bring reasonable quantities for personal use, but importation must meet TGA personal importation requirements.
- Safety note: If the medicine causes drowsiness or other effects that impair alertness, avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how you respond.
If you have concerns about negative effects or product quality, report them to the TGA and discuss them with your healthcare provider.
- Synthroid and personal health: is there help?
- Possible adverse reactions, Minor Adverse Reactions, and Other Body Impacts of Cialis Soft
- Which has the same efficacy for patients: generic or brand Tadapox?
- Is the generic version of Flexeril non-inferior to the brand?
- Your Guide to Super P Force: Facts and Figures