Singulair (montelukast)

Singulair (montelukast) is a prescription medicine used for long-term asthma control and relief of allergic rhinitis symptoms. This page explains how it works, typical dosing patterns, key safety issues, and storage basics. For people paying cash, including those without insurance, access may involve coordination that Ships from Canada to US.

What Singulair Is and How It Works

Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist (a medicine that blocks inflammatory signaling chemicals). By reducing leukotriene-driven swelling and mucus, it can help with day-to-day symptom control in chronic airway conditions. It is not a rescue treatment for sudden breathing trouble, and it does not replace a fast-acting inhaler in an asthma action plan. Options in this therapy area can be browsed in the Respiratory hub.

Leukotrienes contribute to bronchoconstriction (tightening of the airways) and inflammation. Blocking their effects may reduce wheeze, cough, and nighttime symptoms in some patients, and may also reduce nasal symptoms tied to seasonal or perennial allergies. CanadianInsulin operates as a prescription referral service rather than the dispensing pharmacy.

Who It’s For

This medicine is commonly prescribed for ongoing asthma management and for allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy) symptoms. It may also be used to help prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction for some patients, based on the product monograph and clinician judgment. If you are researching condition-specific options, the Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis hubs group related therapies and supplies.

Montelukast is generally not used to treat acute bronchospasm (sudden airway tightening). People with a known hypersensitivity to montelukast or any tablet ingredient should not use it. The drug also carries important mental health warnings (discussed below), so clinicians often screen for prior anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, or other neuropsychiatric history before starting or continuing therapy.

Dosage and Usage

For many adults and adolescents, montelukast tablets are taken once daily, often as montelukast 10 mg tablets. Some labeling recommends evening dosing when the primary indication is asthma, while allergic rhinitis regimens may be once daily at a consistent time. Singulair should be taken exactly as directed on the prescription label and accompanying patient information.

When used for exercise-induced symptoms, dosing timing and maximum frequency are defined by the official labeling. Patients who already take daily montelukast for asthma are typically advised not to add an extra dose before activity. The Exercise Induced Asthma hub can help organize related topics and treatment categories.

Quick tip: Keep a written medication list to reduce dosing mix-ups.

Strengths and Forms

Montelukast is available as oral tablets, and pediatric formulations may exist in some markets (for example, chewable tablets or oral granules). The active ingredient is montelukast sodium (sometimes shortened as “montelukast sod” on packaging or pharmacy records). Availability can vary by country, manufacturer, and pharmacy inventory, so the dispensed form should match the prescription.

Some people recognize the brand name product, while others use the generic name montelukast. If a substitution is allowed, the prescriber typically specifies whether a brand product is required or whether a generic is acceptable. Tablet appearance can differ across manufacturers, but the dispensed product should include matching identification details on the label and package insert.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets at controlled room temperature and protect them from moisture and direct light, as described in the package labeling. Keep medication in the original container or blister until use to reduce humidity exposure and improve identification if tablets are separated. If Singulair is carried in a pill organizer, keep the original labeled packaging available for reference.

For travel, pack enough doses for the full trip plus a small buffer, and carry prescriptions in hand luggage when possible. If you need general planning ideas for traveling with prescription therapies, see How To Travel With Ozempic for travel organization concepts that also apply to many non-injectable medicines. For broader storage reminders, Zepbound Storage How To Keep It Safe And Effective covers temperature and handling principles (always defer to your specific label).

Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects can include headache, stomach upset, or upper respiratory symptoms, although individual experiences vary. Rare but clinically important problems have been reported, including hypersensitivity reactions and eosinophilia (an increase in a type of white blood cell) sometimes associated with systemic symptoms. Seek urgent assessment for severe allergic reactions such as swelling, trouble breathing, or widespread rash.

Serious neuropsychiatric effects have also been reported, including agitation, vivid dreams, sleep problems, depression, and suicidal thoughts or behavior. If these occur, clinicians generally reassess whether benefits outweigh risks and consider alternatives. Singulair has an FDA boxed warning related to these mental health risks, and patients are advised to read the Medication Guide. When required, prescriptions can be confirmed with the original prescriber before dispensing.

Why it matters: New mood or sleep changes should be addressed quickly.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Montelukast has relatively few clinically significant interactions, but some medicines can affect how it is metabolized. Strong enzyme inducers (such as certain antiseizure medicines or rifampin) may lower montelukast exposure, which could reduce benefit for some patients. Always share a current list of prescriptions, over-the-counter products, and supplements with the prescriber and dispensing pharmacy.

Caution is also reasonable in patients with complex comorbidities, including liver disease, because medication handling can change with hepatic impairment. If the prescribed product is a chewable or flavored formulation, ingredient sensitivities and sweeteners may matter for certain diets or conditions. Do not start, stop, or combine asthma and allergy therapies without clinician guidance, especially when multiple controllers are involved.

Compare With Alternatives

Asthma and allergy plans often include several therapy types, chosen by diagnosis and symptom pattern. Alternatives or add-ons may include inhaled corticosteroids for controller therapy, short-acting beta agonists for quick relief, intranasal corticosteroids for rhinitis, and non-sedating antihistamines. For examples within these categories, some patients may also use products like Ventolin HFA Inhaler (a rescue inhaler) or Nasonex Aqueous Nasal Spray (a nasal steroid), depending on their prescription.

Singulair may be considered when symptoms overlap (asthma plus rhinitis) or when inhaled therapies are not tolerated, but it is not an emergency medication. Non-drug measures can also support symptom control, such as trigger avoidance, allergen reduction, and reviewing inhaler technique when inhalers are part of the plan. Decisions about switching or combining treatments should follow clinical guidelines and individualized assessment.

Pricing and Access

Out-of-pocket costs for this therapy can vary by whether a brand product or generic is dispensed, the tablet quantity, and pharmacy dispensing fees. If you are comparing options, it can help to ask the prescriber to write the prescription in a way that clarifies substitution preferences. For budgeting strategies beyond a single medication, Low Income Prescription Help summarizes practical steps that may reduce overall medication expenses. Singulair access requests may be submitted through the platform with a valid prescription.

For some patients without insurance, cash-pay access is used when coverage is limited or unavailable. Canadian prescriptions are dispensed by licensed pharmacies in Canada, based on received documentation and clinical review. If you are eligible, site-wide offers (when available) are listed on Promotions.

Authoritative Sources

For the most complete and current safety details, rely on the official labeling and the Medication Guide provided with the dispensed product. If information on this page conflicts with the package insert, the insert should take priority.

• Read the official U.S. label details at FDA Drug Label Database.
• Review patient-friendly summaries at MedlinePlus Montelukast.

If you proceed through the site workflow, pharmacies may be able to use prompt, express, cold-chain shipping where appropriate.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.