How should I take montelukast?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Montelukast is usually taken once daily in the evening for prevention of asthma or allergy
symptoms. For exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, take a single dose at least 2 hours before
you exercise, and do not take another dose for at least 24 hours. Follow your doctor's
instructions.
If you already take this medication to prevent asthma or allergy symptoms,
do not use it for exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.
Swallow the regular tablet whole, with a glass of water.
The chewable tablet must be chewed completely before you swallow it.
The oral granules can be placed directly into the mouth and swallowed,
or mixed with a spoonful of applesauce, mashed carrots, rice, or ice cream. Oral granules can
also be mixed with 1 teaspoon of baby formula or breast milk. Do not use any other type of
liquid for mixing the granules. Other liquids can be taken before or after taking the medicine.
After opening or mixing the oral granules, you must use them within 15 minutes. Do not
save an open packet or mixed medicine for later use.
Do not use montelukast to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. It will not
work fast enough to reverse your symptoms. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medication to treat
an asthma attack. Talk with your doctor if any of your asthma medications do not seem to work
as well in treating or preventing asthma attacks.
It may take up to several weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms
improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your
symptoms do not improve after several weeks of treatment.
Asthma is often treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your
condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication
guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses
or medication schedule without advice from your doctor, even if you have no asthma symptoms.
If you also take a steroid asthma medicine, do not stop using it suddenly without first
talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication
completely.
Call your doctor right away if you feel that this medicine is not working as well as usual,
or if it makes your condition worse. If it seems like you need to use more of any of your
medications in a 24-hour period, talk with your doctor.
Store montelukast at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not open a
packet of oral granules until you are ready to use the medicine.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do
not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this
medicine.
Symptoms of a montelukast overdose are not known.
What should I avoid while taking montelukast?
Avoid situations or activities that may trigger an asthma attack.
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