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Montelukast
Montelukast is a common prescription drug used in the treatment of asthma (including exercise-induced attacks) and an itchy, stuffy, or runny nose that is the result of allergies. The medication blocks leukotriene receptors, which helps prevent a reaction to allergens. It is available as tablets, granules, and chewable tablets. How often montelukast is taken depends on the condition it is being used to treat.
Montelukast sodium (Singulair®) is a prescription medication used to treat the following conditions:
- Asthma, including exercise-induced asthma (also known as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction)
- Allergic rhinitis (irritated, stuffy, itchy, or runny nose due to allergies).
(Click What Is Montelukast Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses for the medication.)
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with montelukast. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of montelukast include, but are not limited to:
- Upper respiratory infection
- Fever
- Sore throat.
(Click Side Effects of Montelukast to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
For information about individual side effects of montelukast, see the following eMedTV articles:
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD