Montelukast

• Tablet/granules:
  • 10mg
  • 5mg
  • 4mg

• It may be taken without regard to food.
• Taken at bedtime.

Leukotriene receptor antagonist.

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) like LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4, among others, are eicosanoids released by a variety of cells like mast cells and eosinophils. When such CysLTs bind to corresponding CysLT receptors like CysLT type-1 receptors located on respiratory airway smooth muscle cells, airway macrophages, and on various pro-inflammatory cells like eosinophils and some specific myeloid stem cells, activities that facilitate the pathophysiology of asthma and allergic rhinitis are stimulated.

Montelukast binds with high affinity and selectivity to the CysLT type 1 receptor, which consequently assists in inhibiting any physiological actions of CysLTs like LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4 at the receptor that may facilitate asthma or allergic rhinitis.

• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Eczema
• Influenza
• Tremors
• Muscle cramps
• Pharyngitis
• Viral infection
• Wheezing
• Dizziness
• Dyspepsia
• Elevated liver function tests
• Fever
• Gastroenteritis
• Nasal congestion
• Otitis
• Rash
• Urticaria

• Hypersensitivity reactions.
• Treatment of exercise-induced bronchospasms.

 PRECAUTION:

• Dosage of inhaled corticosteroids may be reduced gradually. Montelukast should not be substituted abruptly for inhaled/oral corticosteroids.
• Combination therapy with bronchodilators.

WARNING:

• Serious neuropsychiatric events that may include suicidal thoughts or actions have been reported in patients taking montelukast in patients with and without pre-existing psychiatric disease.
• Should be used for allergic rhinitis ONLY in patients who have an inadequate response or intolerance to alternative therapies
• Discontinue when neuropsychiatric changes occur.

• NSAIDs
• Aspirin
• Phenytoin
• Phenobarbital
• Rifampicin