Singulair 10mg tablets

How does it work?

Singulair 10mg tablets contain the active ingredient montelukast, which is a type of medicine known as a leukotriene receptor antagonist. It works by blocking the action of leukotrienes, which are chemicals released by the body as part of allergic and inflammatory reactions.

Leukotrienes are released from the lungs in people with asthma, causing inflammation and increased mucous production in the airways. They also cause the muscles lining the airways to contract, which narrows the airways. All of this makes it difficult for air to get in and out of the lungs.

Montelukast blocks leukotriene receptors in the lungs and, as a result, blocks the actions of the leukotrienes. This prevents the excess mucous production, inflammation and narrowing of the airways and so prevents asthma attacks. It is also useful for preventing asthma triggered by exercise.

Montelukast is used for people whose asthma is not fully controlled by using regular inhaled corticosteroids and short-acting beta agonist relievers such as salbutamol. It is used in addition to these medicines.

Montelukast should be taken regularly to prevent asthma attacks. You should continue to take it even when your symptoms are under control.

Leukotrienes are also released from the nasal passages when people with seasonal allergies, such as hayfever, are exposed to substances that trigger their allergy (allergens, eg pollen). The leukotrienes contribute to the symptoms of hayfever, such as a runny or blocked nose, sneezing and itchy nose. This medicine blocks the effect of leukotrienes in the nose and so can also relieve hayfever symptoms in people with asthma who suffer from hayfever.

What is it used for?

Asthma

Prevention of asthma mainly triggered by exercise

The medicine can also provide relief from hayfever symptoms in people with asthma who also suffer from hayfever (seasonal allergic rhinitis).

Singulair 10mg tablets are suitable for adults aged 15 years and over. The tablet should be taken once daily, in the evening.

Warning!

This medicine should never be used to treat asthma attacks - you should keep your normal reliever inhaler, eg salbutamol or terbutaline, ready for this. Consult your doctor if you need to use your reliever more frequently than normal, or if it becomes less effective at treating asthma attacks.

If you find that your asthma is improved after receiving treatment with this medicine you should not stop taking any of your other medicines, in particular any corticosteroid inhalers or tablets. This medicine is not a substitute for corticosteroids. However, you may find that you need to use your reliever inhaler less frequently.

In rare cases, people taking asthma medications may experience a rare condition known as Churg-Strauss syndrome. Consult your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine; flu-like symptoms, increasing breathlessness, pins and needles, numbness of the limbs or rash.

Not to be used in

Rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption (Singulair 10mg tablets contain lactose).

Singulair 10mg tablets are not recommended for children under 15 years of age. Other forms of Singulair are available for treating children - see Singulair paediatric linked at the end of this factsheet.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It is not recommended for use during breastfeeding unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Abdominal pain

Diarrhoea

Nausea and vomiting

Dry mouth

Dizziness

Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)

Nightmares

Drowsiness

Fatigue

Pain in the muscles and joints

Pins and needles or numb sensations

Irritability

Agitation

Skin rashes

Awareness of your heart beat (palpitations)

Increased bleeding tendency

Jaundice related to inflammation in the liver (cholestatic hepatitis)

Seizures

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

No significant interactions have so far been reported with montelukast.

However, the manufacturer recommends that the following are used with caution in combination with this medicine, as they may decrease the blood level of montelukast:

phenobarbital

phenytoin

rifampicin.

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