Montelukast is a prescription-only medication and should be taken as per the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will consider your age, medical history, the severity of your asthma, and response to treatment before prescribing the required dose for you. Montelukast is available in the form of oral tablets of strength 10mg. And in the form of chewable tablets, of strengths 4mg and 5mg. Here is the usually recommended dosage for Montelukast –

• Adults (Ages 15 years and older): One Montelukast 10 mg tablet once daily, in the evening

• Children (Ages 6 to 14 years): One Montelukast 5 mg chewable tablet once daily, in the evening

• Children (Ages 2 to 5 years): One Montelukast 4 mg chewable tablet once daily, in the evening

• Children (Ages 0 to 1 year): It is yet to be determined if Montelukast is safe to treat asthma in children below 12 months

• Senior Citizens (Ages 65 years and older): Montelukast should be prescribed to this age group with caution. In senior citizens, the kidneys may not work as well as they used to. Lower kidney function does not allow drugs to leave your body quickly. The longer a drug stays in your body, the higher the risk of side effects. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of Montelukast or different dosage scheduling to help with this

As Montelukast is a prescription-only asthma medicine, it is advisable to consult your doctor before taking the medication. Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the proper directions for taking Montelukast. It is also a good idea to read the patient information leaflet given in the pack for use instructions. Here is the typically recommended way to use Montelukast – 

1. You can take Montelukast tablets with or without food

2. If you have been given oral tablets, swallow them whole with a glass of water. Do not chew or crush the tablets

3. If you have been given chewable tablets, take one whole tablet at once and chew it thoroughly before swallowing

4. For children who have been prescribed oral granules, they can be placed on the tongue directly or mixed with a spoonful of apple sauce

5. Take this medication even if your symptoms are under control. Don’t stop taking Montelukast unless instructed to do so by your doctor 

6. If you forget to take a dose, skip the missed dose and move on to the next one. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose

7. Taking Montelukast regularly for a long time will help reduce your symptoms of allergic rhinitis and asthma. It will prevent the onset of attacks of breathlessness as well

Montelukast is an effective medication for those who have asthma and allergic rhinitis. However, in some cases, it is advisable to discuss your medical history, ongoing treatments and prevailing medical conditions with your doctor before using Montelukast tablets. Here are some conditions wherein Montelukast should be used with caution –  

• If you are pregnant, use Montelukast only if prescribed by a doctor. Your doctor will assess your asthma and allergic rhinitis coupled with the information about your pregnancy before prescribing the proper medication for you. 

• If you are breastfeeding, you should always consult a doctor before using Montelukast. Small amounts of the medicine can pass to the infant with the breastmilk. Even though research has proven that neonates can be administered Montelukast, breastfeeding mothers should not take this medication without a doctor’s advice. 

• For senior citizens over 65 years of age, especially those with impaired kidney functioning. Montelukast may not be able to leave your body for a long time, increasing the risk of side effects. Take the prescribed dose of this medication as recommended by your doctor. It is also a good idea to go for regular check-ups when using Montelukast.

Just like any other medication, Montelukast is also known to cause side effects in some cases. Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. Just because a side effect is listed here does not mean that every person taking this medication will experience that or any other side effect. Usually, Montelukast side effects are mild and disappear as your body gets used to the medication. Here is the list of the side effects of Montelukast –

• Stomachache and headache 

• Dry mouth

• Indigestion 

• Nosebleeds

• Bruising

• Itching or rash

• Dizziness

• Drowsiness, weakness, or fatigue

• Joint pain or muscle pain

• Insomnia, nightmares or sleepwalking

• Depression, anxiety, a feeling of agitation, restlessness, irritability, aggressive or hostile behaviour

• Seizures

• Pins and needles

• Fluid retention (oedema)

• Allergic reactions such as swelling of the face, throat, or tongue 

• Problems with attention or memory

• Increased tendency to bleed

• Palpitations

• Inflammation of the liver

• Allergic skin reactions

• Hallucinations

If you have been prescribed Montelukast, take the following precautions when taking the medication –

1. Take the Montelukast tablets as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. An overdose of this medication can have serious repercussions.

2. Do not stop taking Montelukast even if your symptoms have reduced or completely gone away. This is a long term treatment that should be started and stopped only with a doctor’s advice.

3. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and move on to the next dose as usual. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.

4. Montelukast may also interact with other medicines to make them less effective or vice versa. Inform your doctor about any prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal medicines you regularly take before taking Montelukast. Some of the medicines known to interact with Montelukast are –

1. Carbamazepine

2. Fosphenytoin

3. Phenytoin

4. Phenobarbital

5. Primidone

6. Rifampicin 

7. Gemfibrozil

8. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

1. Ibuprofen

2. Naproxen 

3. Celecoxib 

4. Diclofenac

5. Indomethacin

6. Meloxicam

1. Is Montelukast a Steroid? No. Montelukast does not contain any steroids. These asthma tablets belong to a group of medicines called leukotriene receptor antagonists. Montelukast helps relieve symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis. (REF) 

2. Is Montelukast an Antihistamine? No. Montelukast does not interact with the histamine in your body. This medication belongs to a group of medicines called leukotriene receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the receptors of leukotriene in your body. Montelukast helps relieve symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis.  

3. Does Montelukast Make You Sleepy? No. Montelukast does not cause drowsiness. It is a non-sedating anti-allergic medication. One of the uncommon side effects of Montelukast includes drowsiness and fatigue. However, this happens in a few cases only, and Montelukast does not affect everyone in this way. 

4. Why is Montelukast taken at night? There is no clinical proof to determine the best time of the day to take Montelukast. However, most asthma patients and particularly those suffering from allergic rhinitis, report a worsening of symptoms by evening or night. As the effect of Montelukast lasts for four to seven hours, doctors usually recommend taking the medication in the evening. (REF) 

5. How safe is Montelukast? Montelukast is a safe and reliable medication for asthma and allergic rhinitis. There are a few side effects of Montelukast, but they are rare and mild. Overall, Montelukast is considered a safe medication and is widely prescribed across the UK. 

6. Does Montelukast Help with Mucus? Yes. Montelukast offers relief from all symptoms of allergic reactions, including watery eyes and excessive production of mucus. However, it is not recommended as a medicine for a common cold. 

7. Is Montelukast Anti-inflammatory? Montelukast works by inhibiting leukotriene receptors – a natural substance produced by the human body in reaction to allergens. Leukotriene causes inflammation in the lung airways and makes it difficult to breathe. Montelukast helps in reducing inflammation in the lung airways in this scenario. It is not recommended to take Montelukast as an anti-inflammatory in any other condition. 

8. Does Montelukast Affect the Liver? Typically, Montelukast does not impact the liver or its functioning in any way. However, in rare cases, one of the side effects long term use of Montelukast is inflammation in the liver. This is an infrequent side effect seen in less than one in a thousand people taking this medication. It has also been observed to subside once the body gets used to regular doses of Montelukast.

9. How Long Does Montelukast Stay in your System?  Research has shown that Montelukast stays in your system for up to thirty hours. This duration can vary based on how often you have taken the drug, metabolism, age, health, medical condition, and body mass. (REF) 

10. Can Montelukast be taken on an Empty Stomach? Yes. Montelukast can be taken before or after food.  

11. What happens if you take too much Montelukast? An overdose of Montelukast could be dangerous. If you or anyone around you has taken an overdose of Montelukast, seek medical attention immediately. Some of the effects of a Montelukast overdose are listed below –  

• Pain in your abdomen

• Vomiting

• Trouble in sleeping

• Thirst

• Headache

• Hyperactive behaviour, extreme restlessness, tremors, twitching, or pacing.

12. Can Montelukast Cause Anxiety? In rare cases, depression and anxiety have been observed as side effects of long-term doses of Montelukast. 

13. Can Montelukast Treat Cough? Montelukast offers relief from cough if it is a symptom of your allergic rhinitis. It is not recommended to use Montelukast to treat cough and the common cold. 

14. Does Montelukast Cause Depression? In rare cases, depression and anxiety have been observed as side effects of long-term doses of Montelukast. 

15. Does Montelukast Affect the Kidneys? There is no clinical evidence to say that Montelukast affects the kidneys adversely.  

16. Is Montelukast Safe for Diabetics?

17. Can Montelukast Make you dizzy? Usually, taking regular doses of Montelukast does not affect people. Some people, in rare cases, have reported nausea and dizziness as side effects of Montelukast.