Singulair asthma tablets (10mg): An unconventional asthma treatment

Singulair tablets developed and marketed by Merck Sharp & Dohme is an unconventional asthma treatment classified as leukotriene receptor antagonist. The mechanism of action of this type of asthma medicine relies on the inhibition of the function of substance leukotriene that is naturally produced within the lungs and is thought to be directly related to the onset of asthma. Singulair tablets achieved amazing success and are now widely sold throughout the United Kingdom, being available even through numerous online clinics, so if you’re not a big fan of waiting in line at the pharmacy, you can also choose to buy Singulair online simply, no matter where are you within the UK.

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Asthma in the UK

Singulair tablets are widely prescribed asthma treatment, not just in the UK, but also throughout Europe. With the usual dose of one tablet per day, this medicine is very efficient and is intended to be used alongside other asthma medication. But, before diving into the specifics of this medicine, we should consider the context in which this medicine is found today. So, we shall first explore the question of prevalence of asthma in the UK, while providing you with the most general information regarding this chronic respiratory condition.

For a long-term illness, asthma is surprisingly more common than some might assume. Within the UK alone there are estimated 5.5 million patients affected by this condition. Marked by the characteristic narrowing of the airways in the chest, coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing, this condition can vary in its severity among different patients. With several sub-types identified by the medical community, it comes as no surprise that there are also additional characteristics that might differ among individuals affected. For example, some people are more likely to experience symptoms early in the morning or late at night. For others, symptoms may appear only in response to certain irritants, usually called triggers, such as smoke, allergens, vapours and fumes or even other activities and conditions intense physical exercise or even emotional stress.

On a physiological level, asthma is caused by the inflammation of small tubes which connect the lungs to the trachea (also known as windpipe), called bronchi. Once bronchi are inflamed, the surrounding muscle tissue will also swell, leading to the further narrowing of the airway passages, but also the creation of excess phlegm, known to lead to further obstruction.

What causes asthma?

As of now, the exact causes of asthma are still debated among the medical experts and within the scientific communities. There is no consensus on what is it exactly that makes people more or less susceptible to developing asthma, although some risk factors have been identified:

• Genetic predisposition – family history of asthma usually means higher chances of actually developing the condition
• Role of the immune system – a heightened sensitivity to irritants can result in a more severe autoimmune response, leading to inflammation and other symptoms

How does Singulair help with asthma?

When asthma is properly managed with prescribed medicines and regular medical check-ups, the condition has a very limited effect on everyday life. Some patients strongly rely on preventer medicines akin to Singulair in order to reduce the inflammatory processes within the lungs and prevent an asthma attack from occurring in the first place – as opposed to reliever medicines which are used once an attack occurs in order to reduce the symptoms and facilitate easier breathing.

Preventer medicines such as Singulair should be used daily, even when there are no symptoms – this is a very important point to make, as many patients tend to misjudge the nature of this kind of treatment. By following the instructions provided by the doctor and using Singulair properly, patients will minimize the effects of potential exposure to different triggers.

Singulair’s effectiveness stems from a pharmaceutical compound called montelukast and is usually prescribed to be used in parallel with another preventer. This is so because of the very specific and precise mechanism of action of montelukast. This substance blocks the lungs from responding to leukotriene – a substance that is naturally produced by the body in response to different stimuli (in case of asthmatics, in response to different triggers). Without this interaction blocked by Singulair’s active ingredient, the bronchi in the lungs are less likely to become inflamed and start filling up with mucus.

As leukotriene is also present in the nasal passages once pollen is present, this medicine is also successfully used in the treatment of hay fever in asthmatics.

How to use Singulair (10mg)

Singylaur is a prescription-only medicine, so 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 while ensuring all the benefits of the treatment. While additional info can be found in the official patient information leaflet issued with every pack of the medicine, some most general guidelines can be presented as following:

• 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 Singulair
• 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
• Singulair isn’t a reliever medicine, meaning it cannot treat an asthma attack in progress – you’ll need your reliever inhaler for this
• Singulair is so-called 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

Singulair side effects

Most of the prescription-only medicines you can obtain today come with an array of potential side effects. Of course, not everyone will get affected, but it is still important to know in advance what could go wrong. Most importantly, if you notice symptoms characteristic of allergy or the exacerbation of symptoms after Singulair use, you should contact the emergency services immediately.

We can present some of the documented side effects, alongside the frequency of their occurrence in the following form:

Singulair interactions with other medicines

The clinical studies have helped with the identification of several other pharmaceutical compounds that can hamper the effectiveness of Singulair or contribute to an increased risk of experiencing side effects. This is why it is important to tell your doctor if you’re currently taking any other medication, even if it’s not related to your asthma. The drugs that you should definitely avoid when using Singulair include:

• Epilepsy medications
• Rifampicin (antibiotic)
• Gemfibrozil (used to reduce cholesterol levels)