Daily Medication Pearl: Montelukast Sodium (Singulair)

Medication Pearl of the Day: Montelukast Sodium (Singulair)

Indication: Singulair is a leukotriene receptor antagonist indicated for prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma in patients 12 months of age and older.

Insight:

• Dosing: Once daily in the evening for patients 12 months of age and older.
• Dosage forms: Singulair 10 mg film-coated tablets, 5 mg and 4 mg chewable tablets, 4 mg oral granules.
• Adverse events: Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5% and greater than placebo listed in descending order of frequency) are upper respiratory infection, fever, headache, pharyngitis, cough, abdominal pain, diarrhea, otitis media, influenza, rhinorrhea, sinusitis, and otitis.
• Mechanism of action: In asthma, leukotriene-mediated effects include airway edema, smooth muscle contraction, and altered cellular activity associated with the inflammatory process. In allergic rhinitis, cysteinyl leukotrienesare released from the nasal mucosa after allergen exposure during both early and late-phase reactions and are associated with symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
• Manufacturer: Merck

Sources:

• Singulair (montelukast sodium) tablet label (fda.gov)
• singulair image - Google Search