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What Is Montelukast?

Montelukast sodium is a prescription leukotriene receptor antagonist also marketed as Singulair. It is indicated for long-term asthma control, prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, and selected allergic rhinitis symptoms. Its approved age ranges depend on the indication and formulation. Products include 10 mg tablets, 4 mg and 5 mg chewable tablets, and 4 mg oral granules.

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What Is Montelukast?

Montelukast sodium is a prescription leukotriene receptor antagonist also marketed as Singulair. It is indicated for long-term asthma control, prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, and selected allergic rhinitis symptoms. Its approved age ranges depend on the indication and formulation. Products include 10 mg tablets, 4 mg and 5 mg chewable tablets, and 4 mg oral granules.

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How Does Montelukast Work?

Montelukast blocks cysteinyl leukotriene type 1 receptors in the airways. Leukotrienes contribute to airway narrowing, swelling, mucus production, and allergic inflammation. Blocking their action helps control certain asthma symptoms and reduces leukotriene-related allergic responses.

Who Is Treated With Montelukast?

Montelukast is used for long-term asthma treatment from age 12 months, prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction from age 6, seasonal allergic rhinitis from age 2, and perennial allergic rhinitis from age 6 months under the appropriate formulations. For allergic rhinitis, treatment is reserved for patients who have not responded adequately to or cannot tolerate alternative medicines. Montelukast does not treat acute asthma attacks.

How Is Montelukast Dosed?

Patients age 15 and older typically receive 10 mg once daily. Children age 6 through 14 receive 5 mg daily, while children age 2 through 5 receive 4 mg daily. Younger eligible children use 4 mg oral granules under indication-specific age restrictions. Asthma doses are taken in the evening. For exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, a dose is taken at least two hours before exercise, without another dose within 24 hours.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Montelukast?

Montelukast carries a boxed warning for serious neuropsychiatric events, including agitation, aggression, sleep disturbances, depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicidal behavior. These reactions have occurred in patients with and without previous psychiatric conditions. Other concerns include hypersensitivity reactions and systemic eosinophilia associated with vasculitis. New behavioral or mood symptoms require immediate discontinuation and medical assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Montelukast

What conditions does montelukast treat?

Montelukast is used for long-term asthma control, prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, and selected allergic rhinitis symptoms.

What is the usual adult montelukast dose?

Patients age 15 and older typically take 10 mg once daily.

Can montelukast treat a sudden asthma attack?

No. Montelukast is not a rescue medicine for an acute asthma attack.

Does montelukast have a boxed warning?

Yes. Its boxed warning concerns serious mental health and behavioral reactions, including suicidal thoughts and behavior.

References

DailyMed - MONTELUKAST SODIUM tablet, film coated. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=2fbdf1be-a37f-879b-e063-6394a90aa20d. Date Accessed October 16, 2026.

FDA Requires Boxed Warning About Serious Mental Health Side Effects for Asthma and Allergy Drug Montelukast (Singulair); Advises Restricting Use for Allergic Rhinitis. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-requires-boxed-warning-about-serious-mental-health-side-effects-asthma-and-allergy-drug. Date Accessed October 16, 2026.

Montelukast. LiverTox. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548264/. Date Accessed October 16, 2026.

Montelukast. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600014.html. Date Accessed October 16, 2026.

Montelukast. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Montelukast. Date Accessed October 16, 2026.