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Montelukast Sodium: Brands, Price & Uses in Bangladesh

Montelukast Sodium is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used for the following FDA-approved indications: Prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma in adults and children 12 months of age and older…

Forms:Chewable TabletTabletDispersible Tablet

About Montelukast Sodium

Indications of Montelukast Sodium

Montelukast Sodium is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used for the following FDA-approved indications:

  • Prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma in adults and children 12 months of age and older (established, first-line/add-on maintenance therapy).
  • Relief of symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults and children 2 years of age and older (established use).
  • Relief of symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis in adults and children 6 months of age and older (established use).
  • Prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in patients 6 years of age and older (established use; used as-needed before exertion, not as maintenance monotherapy for this indication alone).

Montelukast Sodium is often used as an adjunct/add-on to inhaled corticosteroids when asthma control is inadequate, and it is a guideline-recognized alternative (not first-line) controller option in patients who cannot or will not use inhaled corticosteroids.

Important: Montelukast Sodium is not indicated for the reversal of bronchospasm in acute asthma attacks, including status asthmaticus. It has no role as a rescue medication.

Dosage & Administration of Montelukast Sodium

Dosage of Montelukast Sodium by Indication and Age

IndicationAge GroupRecommended Dose
Asthma (maintenance)Adults and adolescents ≥15 years10 mg film-coated tablet once daily, in the evening
Children 6–14 years5 mg chewable tablet once daily, in the evening
Children 2–5 years4 mg chewable tablet or 4 mg oral granules once daily, in the evening
Children 12–23 months4 mg oral granules once daily, in the evening
Seasonal allergic rhinitisAdults and children ≥2 yearsSame age-based doses as above, once daily (timing may be given any time of day if only for rhinitis)
Children 6 months–2 years4 mg oral granules once daily (perennial allergic rhinitis)
Prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB)Adults and adolescents ≥15 years10 mg at least 2 hours before exercise; no additional dose within 24 hours
Children 6–14 years5 mg chewable at least 2 hours before exercise; no additional dose within 24 hours

Renal impairment: No dosage adjustment is required.

Hepatic impairment: No dosage adjustment is required for mild-to-moderate hepatic impairment; Montelukast Sodium has not been studied in severe hepatic impairment, so it should be used with caution in that setting.

Missed dose: If a dose of Montelukast Sodium is missed, it should not be doubled; resume the normal once-daily schedule.

Side Effects of Montelukast Sodium

Common side effects of Montelukast Sodium (occurring in clinical trials) include headache, abdominal pain, cough, dyspepsia, dizziness, fatigue, fever, and, in children, ear infection (otitis media), sinusitis, and influenza-like symptoms.

Serious but less common effects include neuropsychiatric events (see Precautions and Warnings for the boxed warning), hepatic effects such as eosinophilic hepatitis (rare), hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, angioedema, rash, urticaria, and rare severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme), and rare eosinophilic conditions such as Churg-Strauss syndrome (eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis), particularly in patients whose oral corticosteroid dose is being reduced (see Precautions and Warnings).

Contraindications of Montelukast Sodium

Montelukast Sodium is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to montelukast or to any component of the formulation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Montelukast Sodium

What is Montelukast Sodium used for?

Montelukast Sodium is used for the long-term (maintenance) control of asthma, for relief of symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, and to prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. It is not a rescue medicine and does not relieve a sudden asthma attack.

Can Montelukast Sodium be used during a sudden asthma attack?

No. Montelukast Sodium does not act quickly enough to relieve a sudden asthma attack. Patients should always keep their prescribed fast-acting rescue inhaler on hand and seek urgent medical care for a worsening attack.

Are there any serious mental health warnings with Montelukast Sodium?

Yes. Montelukast Sodium carries a boxed warning about neuropsychiatric side effects, including agitation, aggression, anxiety, abnormal dreams, hallucinations, depression, sleep disturbances, irritability, restlessness, and suicidal thoughts or behavior. Patients and caregivers should watch for any new or worsening mood or behavior change and contact the prescribing physician immediately if this occurs.

Can Montelukast Sodium be taken with aspirin or NSAIDs?

Patients who already have known sensitivity/allergy to aspirin or NSAIDs must continue to avoid those drugs even while taking Montelukast Sodium, because Montelukast Sodium does not treat or prevent that sensitivity reaction.

Is Montelukast Sodium safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Montelukast Sodium should be used in pregnancy only if clearly needed, when the expected benefit outweighs any potential risk to the baby, and only under medical advice. Since the drug passes into breast milk in animal studies, a physician should also be consulted before using Montelukast Sodium while breastfeeding.

What should I do if I miss a dose or take too much Montelukast Sodium?

If a dose is missed, simply take the next dose at the usual time; do not double the dose. If an overdose is suspected (symptoms may include thirst, drowsiness, dilated pupils, restlessness, or abdominal pain), seek immediate medical attention or contact emergency/poison control services rather than trying to manage it at home.

Disclaimer

The information provided is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but it does not replace professional medical advice. We cannot guarantee its completeness or accuracy, and the absence of specific information about a drug should not be taken as an endorsement. We are not responsible for any consequences arising from this information, so please consult a healthcare professional for any concerns or questions.

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