Montelukast is a generic version of Singulair asthma tablets, manufactured and marketed by the pharmaceutical company Accord. It belongs to a class of asthma medicines called leukotriene receptor antagonist. This means it works by preventing the lungs from reacting to leukotriene, a substance that is naturally released by the human body once the organism is exposed to various triggers that can cause allergic reactions or asthma attacks. As such, it is used to treat hay fever in asthmatics and is also very successful in the management of exercise-induced asthma.
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Montelukast in the treatment of asthma
There are numerous benefits when it comes to using montelukast in the treatment of asthma. First of all, montelukast sodium can be used as a complementary treatment, in addition to other asthma medication. Secondly, as opposed to a vast majority of asthma medicines, montelukast is not an inhaler, but is available in a tablet form. Finally, it is a generic and thus more affordable version of the branded Singulair.
Asthma: general background information
As a chronic and usually long-term condition, asthma is much more common than it might seem at the first glance. It affects more than 5 million people within the UK alone. This respiratory condition is marked by inflammation of the airways of the lungs, called bronchi. The inflammation occurs when an individual is exposed to so-called triggers, different outside factors which cause the body’s reaction. Once this happens, muscles around the bronchi contract and the lining of the airways swell.
The usual tell-tale signs of asthma include:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Tightness of the chest
If there is a continuous worsening of these symptoms after exposure to a trigger or there is an acute asthma exacerbation, this is called an asthma attack. Asthma attacks are especially distressing and when they are particularly severe, they can even become life-threatening and require immediate medical assistance.
What are common asthma triggers?
Asthma triggers come in many different forms and can vary significantly among individuals. The most common ones include:
- Alcohol
- Smoke
- Tobacco smoke (second-hand smoke included)
- Certain types of food
- Stress
- Dust mites
- Pollen
- Mould
- Pet hair
- Chemicals, fumes and vapours
Aside from these outside factors, asthma attacks can also be brought on by certain natural processes and changes in the body including hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy or menopause. Likewise, sudden changes in breathing rhythm or temperature, moisture of the air are also considered to be rather common triggers.
Asthma management and Montelukast
Despite its long-term nature and very distressing symptoms, asthma can be successfully managed in a vast majority of cases. With proper medication, some precautions and regular medical check-ups, it is possible to live a perfectly normal life despite your diagnosis. Montelukast is a preventer medicine that can be used in addition to other preventer or reliever treatment in those cases where one type of medicine isn’t enough to successfully manage the condition. By affecting the receptors in the lungs, Montelukast inhibits their reactivity to leukotriene, the substance generated by the immune system when exposed to different triggers. In this way, Montelukast prevents the bronchi from contracting and asthma symptoms from manifesting.
How to use Montelukast (10mg)
As Montelukast is a prescription-only medicine, just like other asthma treatments, even of a different type (such as Ventolin) it is very important to follow the directions provided by the doctor exactly. This way you will be able to minimize the possibility of side effects and allow the treatment to achieve its fullest potential. The most important directions we can provide you here include:
- Use as prescribed
- Take one tablet per day (usually in the evening)
- Take it with or without food
- Do not stop taking other asthma medicine when starting with Montelukast
- If you forget a dose, do not take double one next time to compensate – simply take the next tablet at the scheduled time and carry on as normal
- Montelukast isn’t made to be used as a reliever, meaning it cannot treat an asthma attack in progress – you’ll need your reliever inhaler for this
- Montelukast is a maintenance treatment used for asthma management so you need to continue using it even when you don’t experience any symptoms
- In order to stop the treatment, you will need a doctor’s approval
- If you accidently take more tablets than prescribed, immediately notify your doctor or emergency services
What are Montelukast side effects?
Like all prescription-only drugs, Montelukast too comes with an array of potential side effects. Of course, not everyone who uses this medicine will experience these unwanted effects, but it is still important to get familiar with them so that you can act quickly if you notice any.
In case of symptoms consistent with an allergic reaction like swelling of the face, throat or mouth or any difficulties with breathing or swallowing, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Additional dangerous side effects of Montelukast can include symptoms similar to Churg-Strauss syndrome and:
- Pins and needles or numbness in the limbs
- Rashes
- Breathing problems and flu-like symptoms
- Erythema multiforme or nodosum symptoms
The most common side effects, observable in roughly 1 in 10 patients include:
- Upper respiratory infection
- Abdominal pain
- Headaches
- Skin rashes
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Those side effects that are classified as uncommon can be observed in around 1 in 100 patients and these include:
- Mood swings
- Sleep disorders
- Overall changes in mood
- Nosebleeds
- Drowsiness
- Dryness of the mouth
- Tremors and seizures
- Muscle or joint pains or cramps
- Indigestion
Rare side effects will occur in roughly 1 in 1000 people, while those considered to be very rare are statistically likely to affect one patient in 10.000. These, rarest potential side effects are also among the most dangerous as they include:
- Disorientation
- Hallucination
- Suicidal thoughts
- Heart palpitations
- Reduced attention span
- Coagulation issues
Montelukast interactions
As there are known interactions between Montelukast and some other prescription and over-the-counter medicines, it is vital that you disclose all the details about your current other therapies to your doctor. While dangerous interactions might not be that common, some other medicine can reduce the effectiveness of Montelukast or increase the chances for experiencing side effects.
The medicines that you should be especially careful with include:
- Phenytoin and phenobarbital (diabetes drugs)
- Gemfibrozil (blood lipid drug)
- Rifampicin (antibiotic)
Montelukast contraindications
The most important thing to consider when using this treatment is whether you’re allergic to any of the ingredients of this medicine. For reference, the tablets contain:
- Montelukast
- Lactose monohydrate
- Croscarmellose sodium
- Low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (LH-11)
- Cellulose microcrystalline
- Magnesium stearate
- Titanium dioxide
- Hydroxypropyl cellulose (LF)
- Macrogol 6000
- Hypromellose 6CPS (A)
- Iron oxide
As opposed to some other prescription medicines, Montelukast will not interact with alcohol, so you can still drink safely – if alcohol isn’t your asthma trigger. On the other hand, as side effects of this medicine include drowsiness and dizziness, operating vehicles or heavy machinery is not recommended. Likewise, if you’re pregnant or are currently breastfeeding, be sure to talk to your doctor about the safety of continuous treatment.
Can I buy Montelukast without prescription?
No, Montelukast is a prescription only medicine, meaning it can be purchased only after consultations with a doctor. He will need to issue you a prescription which you will then use to get the medicine from a pharmacy. Alternatively, you can shorten your time and obtain your medicine through an online clinic. There, you will be asked to fill in a specialized questionnaire which the doctor will then use in order to decide whether this is suitable treatment for you.
If you get the go-ahead from a doctor, the medicine will be delivered to your address shortly, depending on the exact business model of online clinic of your choice.
