GENERIC NAME: MONTELUKAST GRANULES - ORAL (mon-teh-LEW-kast)

BRAND NAME(S): Singulair

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage | Medical Alert

USES: This medication is used to control chronic asthma to help decrease the number of asthma attacks. It is also used to treat hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis). This drug works by blocking substances in the body called leukotrienes. Blocking leukotrienes improves asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms.

HOW TO USE: Take this medicine as directed, generally once daily with or without food. If taking for asthma, take the medicine in the evening. If taking for hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis), take the medicine at about the same time each day (either morning or evening). If you are taking this drug for both asthma and hay fever, take the medicine in the evening. Keep taking this medicine every day, even during asthma attacks and periods when you have no asthma symptoms. The granules may be swallowed directly in the mouth or mixed with a spoonful of soft food at cold or room temperature before swallowing. The following soft foods may be used: applesauce, mashed carrots, rice, or ice cream. Swallow the entire spoonful of the mixture right away (within 15 minutes). Never store any granule/food mixture for later use. Throw away any unused portion. Do not put the granules in liquid. However, you may drink liquids after swallowing the granules or granules/food mixture. This drug does not relieve acute asthma attacks. Use your prescribed acute asthma attack medicines (and pre-exercise medicines for exercise-related asthma) as directed. Consult the doctor or pharmacist for specific advice on all drug therapy. Do not decrease or stop any asthma medicine unless instructed to do so by the doctor. Report promptly to the doctor or pharmacist any worsening of asthma symptoms, if your short-acting inhaler use increases or if use exceeds the 24 hour maximum prescribed by the doctor. This medicine may come with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine.