This medication description is not meant for treatment prescription without the intervention of a specialist.

Common Uses

Singulair is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used for the maintenance treatment of asthma and to relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies. It is usually administered orally. It is not useful for the treatment of acute asthma attacks. Again because of its very specific focus of operation, it does not interact with other allergy medications such as theophylline.

How to Take

Asthma: The usual dose for adults and children 15 and over is one 10-milligram tablet once a day in the evening. The usual dose for children 6 to 14 years old is one 5-milligram chewable tablet once a day in the evening. The dosage for children 2 to 5 years old is one 4-milligram chewable tablet or one packet of 4-milligram oral granules per day, taken in the evening. The dosage for children 12 to 23 months old is one packet of 4-milligram oral granules taken once a day in the evening. The safety and effectiveness of Singulair for treating asthma in children under 12 months have not been studied.

Allergies: The usual dose for adults and children is one 10-milligram tablet once a day taken at any time. The usual dose for children 6 to 14 years old is one 5-milligram chewable tablet once a day taken at any time. The dosage for children 2 to 5 years old is one 4-milligram chewable tablet or one packet of 4-milligram oral granules per day, taken at any time. Singulair is not approved for treating allergies in children under 2 years old.

Warning and Precautions

After you begin taking Singulair, your doctor may be able to slowly reduce the dosage of other asthma medications such as inhaled steroids. However, Singulair is not a complete replacement for such drugs, so you should not abruptly stop using them unless your doctor recommends it. If your asthma symptoms get worse or you develop a rash, numbness, or heart problems as you reduce your dose of steroids, check with your doctor. Such reactions usually result from a reduction in oral steroid therapy.

If your asthma gets worse after exercise, you'll need to continue using a short-acting inhaled airway opener to prevent the problem and relieve attacks.

If you are allergic to aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), you should continue to avoid them. Singulair does not remedy this problem.

If you have difficulty breathing while taking Singulair, or find that you need your orally inhaled bronchodilator more often than usual (or require more puffs than prescribed), notify your doctor.

If you have a child with phenylketonuria - an inability to process phenylalanine that quickly leads to mental retardation--you should be aware that Singulair chewable tablets contains this substance.

Singulair should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.

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 the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

Little is known about the effects of Singulair overdose. However, any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

Storage

Store Singulair at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Singulair out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects include gastrointestinal disturbances, hypersensitivity reactions, sleep disorders and increased bleeding tendency, aside from many other generic adverse reactions. Its use is associated with a higher incidence of Churg-Strauss syndrome.

More Information

The information given above is a summary. Your pharmacist can provide more information about Singulair. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.