Montelukast (Generic for Singulair®) for Asthma and Allergies

What Montelukast Is and How It Works

Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist. It helps control asthma and seasonal or perennial allergy symptoms. The common adult strength is montelukast sodium 10 mg, taken once daily. Tablets and chewable tablets are available. The medicine blocks leukotrienes, which drive airway inflammation, swelling, mucus, and nasal congestion. This reduces wheeze, chest tightness, cough, sneezing, and runny nose.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy based in Manitoba. Our pharmacists review each prescription before dispensing. We offer brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices with friendly support online. We also work with licensed, vetted partner pharmacies abroad to expand choice and keep authentic brands affordable.

Montelukast is for maintenance therapy in asthma. It can help prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. It also treats symptoms of allergic rhinitis. It does not treat sudden asthma attacks and is not a rescue inhaler. Use it as prescribed and keep your reliever inhaler on hand.

Dosage and Usage

Follow your prescriber’s directions and the package insert. Typical dosing:

• Adults and adolescents 15 years and older: 10 mg tablet once daily, often in the evening.
• Children 6–14 years: 5 mg chewable tablet once daily, often in the evening.
• Children 2–5 years: 4 mg chewable tablet once daily.
• Prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (≥15 years): 10 mg at least 2 hours before exercise; do not repeat within 24 hours.

Take tablets with or without food. Chewable tablets should be chewed well before swallowing. Do not use more than one form or strength in the same day unless your prescriber directs it.

Missed dose:

• Take it when you remember on the same day.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose.
• Do not double the next dose.

Storage and travel:

• Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F). Protect from moisture.
• Keep in the original bottle or blister until use.
• Carry doses in your hand luggage when you travel.
• Avoid extreme heat or freezing in cars or checked bags.

Benefits and Savings

Montelukast helps reduce asthma symptoms and nighttime awakenings. It lowers the risk of exacerbations when used daily. It can ease seasonal allergy symptoms like nasal congestion and sneezing. Once-daily dosing is convenient for long-term control. It can be used with inhaled steroids if symptoms persist.

Ordering from YouDrugstore can bring 60–80% savings compared with typical US prices. We offer generic options and multi-month supplies that can reduce your per-month cost. Caring customer-service chat is available during posted hours if you need help placing an order.

Side Effects and Safety

Most people tolerate montelukast well. Some effects are more common at treatment start and may improve. Serious effects are rare but require prompt medical attention.

• Common: headache, abdominal pain, heartburn, diarrhea, cough, flu-like symptoms, fatigue.
• Less common: dizziness, rash, dry mouth, nasal irritation.
• Serious: mood or behavior changes, agitation, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts or actions.
• Serious: sleep disturbances, hallucinations, tremor, seizures.
• Serious: allergic reactions (swelling, hives, trouble breathing).
• Serious: liver problems (upper-right abdominal pain, dark urine, jaundice).
• Serious: eosinophilia/vasculitis (persistent fever, nerve pain, rash, worsening lung symptoms).

A boxed warning highlights possible serious neuropsychiatric events. Seek medical care if you notice mood changes or unusual behavior. Share your full medical history, including mental health conditions and liver disease, with your prescriber. Review all medicines and supplements for potential interactions.

Onset Time

Many patients notice allergy symptom relief within one day. Asthma control can begin within the first day, with further improvement over several days. For exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, a single dose taken at least two hours before activity helps protect for 24 hours.

Compare With Alternatives

Brand Singulair is the reference product for montelukast. Some patients prefer brand continuity, while many choose the generic for value. If you want the brand, you can review Singulair® for details.

Inhaled corticosteroids remain first-line controller therapy in persistent asthma. Budesonide is a common option. Nebulized solutions may suit certain patients, while dry-powder devices suit others. You can compare delivery formats by visiting Pulmicort® Nebuamp or Pulmicort® Turbuhaler.

For allergic rhinitis, oral antihistamines like cetirizine or loratadine are frequent first choices. Montelukast can be considered when antihistamines alone are not enough or are not tolerated, or when asthma and allergies occur together.

Combination Therapy

Montelukast is often added to inhaled corticosteroids in persistent asthma. This combination can reduce symptoms and may lower the need for rescue inhalers. Short-acting beta-agonists remain your reliever for sudden symptoms. For seasonal allergies, some people use montelukast with an intranasal steroid spray or a non-drowsy antihistamine. Discuss your full regimen with your prescriber to avoid duplication.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Montelukast may suit adults and children who need daily asthma control, who have exercise-induced bronchospasm, or who have seasonal or perennial allergies with nasal symptoms. It is not a rescue medicine. Caution is advised in patients with a history of depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric conditions. Monitor for new or worsening mood or sleep changes. People with active liver disease may need extra monitoring or a different option.

To manage costs, consider generic montelukast 10 mg tablets when appropriate. Ordering a multi-month supply can lower the per-month price and reduce shipment fees. You can turn on reorder reminders in your account so you do not run out. If you need more background on conditions, see our condition pages for Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma. You can also read practical tips in our articles What Is Asthma And How To Avoid It and 10 Proven Ways To Beat Seasonal Allergies This Year.

Authoritative Sources

Read the FDA safety communication on neuropsychiatric risks in montelukast FDA boxed warning for montelukast. Review the manufacturer’s prescribing information for Singulair on Merck’s site Singulair Prescribing Information (Merck). You can also search Health Canada’s database for approved products Health Canada Drug Product Database.

You can order brand or generic medicines from YouDrugstore, a licensed Canadian pharmacy. Our pharmacists review each prescription before we ship. We offer prompt, express, cold-chain shipping to the US when needed, with discreet packaging and helpful service.

This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and read the patient leaflet that comes with your medicine. If you think you are experiencing a serious reaction, seek immediate medical care.