Montelukast Usage

Montelukast is used in asthma prevention, nasal allergy symptoms and exercise-induced asthma.

How Montelukast works

Montelukast works by blocking the action of leukotriene, a chemical messenger. This reduces inflammation in the airways to prevent asthma and relieve symptoms of allergies.

Common side effects of Montelukast

Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Flu-like symptoms

Expert advice for Montelukast

• Take it in the evening for better control of asthma or allergies symptoms.
• Relatively safe medicine with very few side effects.
• Take Montelukast 2 hours before exercising if you have exercise-induced asthma.
• Will not work for sudden wheezing or asthma attacks once they start. Always carry a fast-acting (rescue) inhaler with you.
• Not as effective as steroid inhalers for asthma.
• Do not discontinue use without consulting your doctor even if you feel better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. Q. What are the uses of montelukast/ Montek Lc/ Romilast?
Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist and is used to treat asthma and prevent seasonal allergies and exercise-induced asthma.

Ques. Q. Is montelukast harmful?
Montelukast is not harmful if used at prescribed doses for the prescribed duration as advised by your doctor.

Ques. Q. Is montelukast gluten free?
Montelukast is gluten free. Please refer to package insert of the prescribed brand for constituents before use.

Ques. Q. Is montelukast an antibiotic?
Montelukast is not an antibiotic. It is a leukotriene receptor antagonist.

Ques. Q. Is montelukast a steroid?
Montelukast is not a steroid. It is a leukotriene receptor antagonist.

Ques. Q. Is montelukast safe for long-term use?
Clinical reports of montelukast used for up to two years for adults, and up to 12 months for children 6 to 14 years of age showed no significant safety issues. However, always take a medicine for the duration as advised by your doctor.

Ques. Q. Is montelukast a sedative?
Montelukast does not belong to the class of sedative drugs. However, it has been seen to cause drowsiness (sedation) as a side effect. Talk to your doctor in case you experience excessive sedation as the dose of your medicine may need to be changed.

Ques. Q. Is montelukast safe for babies?
Safety of montelukast in children more than one year of age is well established in clinical studies and can be used. However, always consult a doctor before giving any medicine to a child.

Ques. Q. Is montelukast safe for breastfeeding?
It is not known whether montelukast passes into the human milk or not. So, it should be used with caution in mothers who are breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if you need to take any medicine while breastfeeding.

Ques. Q. Is montelukast an antihistamine drug?
Montelukast is not an antihistamine drug. It is not known to block with histamine receptors. It is a leukotriene receptor antagonist.

Ques. Q. Is montelukast a bronchodilator?
Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor blocker. It works in two ways: by acting as a bronchodilator and by decreasing the inflammation in the airways and nasal passages to prevent asthma and relieve symptoms of allergies.

Ques. Q. Is montelukast a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)?
No, montelukast is not a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is a leukotriene receptor antagonist.

Ques. Q. How long can I take montelukast for?
Clinical reports of montelukast used for up to two years for adults, and up to 12 months for children 6 to 14 years of age showed no significant safety issues. However, always take a medicine for the duration as advised by your doctor.

Ques. Q. Can you take montelukast for allergies?
Montelukast has been indicated for the treatment of allergic respiratory illnesses like seasonal allergies and exercise-induced asthma. However, it may not be of use in other forms of allergy. Consult your doctor for the appropriate use of the drug and right treatment of your allergies.

Ques. Q. Can I take montelukast with loratadine?
Montelukast can be taken with loratadine. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Ques. Q. Can I take montelukast with diphenhydramine?
Montelukast can be taken with diphenhydramine. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Ques. Q. Can I take montelukast with cetirizine?
Montelukast can be taken with cetirizine. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Ques. Q. Can I take montelukast with antibiotics?
Montelukast can be taken with antibiotics. No specific drug-drug interactions have been reported when it is used with most of the antibiotics. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking it with antibiotics.

Ques. Q. Can I take montelukast with antihistamine?
Montelukast can be taken with antihistamine drugs like levocetirizine. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Ques. Q. Can I take montelukast with fexofenadine?
Montelukast can be taken with fexofenadine. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Ques. Q. Can I take montelukast with guaifenesin?
Montelukast can be taken with guaifenesin. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Ques. Q. Can I take montelukast with pseudoephedrine?
Montelukast can be taken with pseudoephedrine. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Ques. Q. Does montelukast cause drowsiness?
Montelukast has been reported to cause drowsiness. If you experience any such symptom while using the drug, consult your doctor.

Ques. Q. Does montelukast cause weight gain?
\Montelukast has not been reported to cause weight gain. Talk to your doctor if you experience weight gain while taking this drug as it could be due to some other underlying condition.

Ques. Q. Does montelukast cause hair loss?
Montelukast has not been reported to cause hair loss. Talk to your doctor if you experience hair loss while taking this drug as it could be due to some other underlying condition.

Ques. Q. Does montelukast work?
Montelukast works if taken for the right indication for a prescribed duration in prescribed doses as advised by your doctor.

Ques. Q. Does montelukast expire?
Yes, like any other medicine, montelukast has an expiry date. Please check the expiry date mentioned on the pack before taking the medicine.

Ques. Q. Does montelukast have acetaminophen?
Montelukast does not contain paracetamol (acetaminophen).

Ques. Q. Does montelukast make you tired?
Montelukast has not been reported to cause tiredness or lethargy, but it may cause dizziness and drowsiness. Talk to your doctor if you experience these problems while taking this drug.

Ques. Q. Does montelukast cause insomnia?
Montelukast use has been reported to cause insomnia but this is an uncommon side effect. Talk to your doctor if you experience any problems in your sleep while taking this drug.

Ques. Q. Does montelukast cause high blood pressure?
Montelukast has not been reported to cause any increase in blood pressure. Talk to your doctor if you experience changes in your blood pressure while taking this drug.

Ques. Q. Does montelukast cause constipation?
Montelukast has not been reported to cause constipation. Talk to your doctor if you experience constipation while taking this drug as it could be due to some other underlying condition.