Montelukast

• Montelukast is a long term treatment option for patients with asthma
• Montelukast comes in the form of tablets
• It helps to prevent breathlessness and wheeze
• It should be taken every day
• It is often prescribed when inhalers alone are not fully controlling your asthma
• It is usually taken in addition to any inhalers you are prescribed
• It is important to read the patient leaflet for a full list of side effects and cautions.

Montelukast is a medication known as a leukotriene receptor antagonist. It blocks a substance called a leukotriene which is released during an inflammatory or allergic response.

In asthma, the lungs release leukotrienes which cause inflammation in the airways and stimulate the muscles in the airway to contract. Leukotrienes also prompt excess mucus production within the airways. The release of leukotrienes makes it more difficult to breathe, and may cause symptoms including wheezing or coughing.

By blocking leukotrienes, montelukast reduces mucus production, widens the airways and reduces inflammation. This helps to keep the symptoms of asthma under control and may help to prevent asthma attacks.

Most people find that they feel an improvement in their asthma within a few days of starting the medication.

Montelukast is a tablet that is usually taken once a day. The tablets should be swallowed whole with water. They can be taken with or without food.

Montelukast should be continued even when your asthma is under control. It is also important to keep taking montelukast even during periods of worsening asthma.

If your asthma continues to worsen despite taking your inhalers and montelukast, you should seek urgent medical advice from a doctor.

Montelukast tablets come in a strength of 10mg per tablet.

The most common dosage of montelukast is one 10mg tablet taken every evening. However, you must read your prescription carefully to ensure you are taking the dose that has been prescribed for you.

Like all medications, montelukast can have some side effects. The most common side effects include:

• Headache
• Abdominal (tummy) pain.

If these persist, speak to a healthcare professional.

Less commonly, some people may experience:

• A dry mouth
• Nosebleeds or bruising
• Indigestion
• Itching or rash
• Dizziness or drowsiness
• Feeling weak, tired or unwell
• Muscle aches and pains
• Insomnia (trouble sleeping), nightmares or sleepwalking
• Mood changes including depression, anxiety, irritability or feeling aggressive
• Numbness or pins and needles.

If any of the above side effects occur, you should speak to a medical professional for advice.

If you have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) including breathlessness, lip or tongue swelling, call 999 immediately.

Montelukast may not be suitable for everyone, including:

• Children aged under 15 - a paediatric (children’s) version is available
• Anyone who has had an allergy to montelukast or another medication in the past
• Some women who are breastfeeding – this should be discussed with a doctor to check if it is the best asthma treatment for you
• Pregnant women – montelukast should only be used if your doctor feels it is essential for you to take it during pregnancy.

During the Consultation with EU Meds, you will be asked to complete a health questionnaire to check that montelukast is suitable for you. 

A prescriber from EU Meds will review your current medications, including any herbal remedies or supplements, to ensure that montelukast will not interact with them. Medications that may interact with montelukast include:

Numerous anti-seizure medications and treatments for epilepsy including:

• Fosphenytoin
• Phenytoin
• Carbamazepine
• Phenobarbital 
• Primidone
• Gemfibrozil – a treatment used to treat high blood lipid levels
• Rifampicin – a specialist antibiotic treatment.

If your current medication will not interact with montelukast, and there are no other health concerns during your Consultation, you can order montelukast online for home delivery.