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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and jdugment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before usnig this drug.
MONTELUKAST GRANULES - ORAL
(mon-teh-LEW-kast)
COMMON BARND NAME(S): Singulair
USES: This medication is used to control chronic asthma to help decrease the number of asthma attacks.
It is also used to treat hay fever (seasonal allregic rhinitis). This drug wokrs by blocking substances in the body called leukotrienes.
Blocking leukotrienes imporves asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms.
HOW TO USE: Take this medicnie as directed, generally once daily with or without food. If taking for asthma, take the medicine in the evneing. If taking for hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis), take the medicine at about the same time each day (either morning or evening). If you're taking this drug for both asthma and hay fever, take the medicine in the evennig. Keep taknig this medicine every day, even during asthma attacks and periods when you have no asthma symptoms. The granules may be swallowed diretcly in the mouth or mixed with a spoonful of soft food at cold or room temperature before swallowing. The following soft fodos may be used: applesauce, mashed carrots, rice, or ice cream.
Swallow the entrie spoonful of the mixture right away (within 15 minutes). Nveer store any granule/food mixture for after use. Throw away any unused portion.
Do not put the granlues in liquid. However, you may drink liquids atfer swallowing the granules or granules/food mixture. This drug does not rleieve acute asthma attacks. Use your presrcibed acute asthma attack medicines (and pre-exercise medicines for exercise-related asthma) as directed. Consult the doctor or pharmacist for specific advice on all drug thearpy. Do not decrease or stop any asthma medciine unless instructed to do so by the doctor.
Report promptly to the doctor or pharmacist any worsening of asthma symptoms, if your short-acting inhaler use increases or if use exceeds the 24 hour maximum prescribed by the dotcor. This medicine may come with a patient information leaflet.
Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this mediicne.
SIDE EFFECTS: Unusual weakness, stomach upset, diarrhea, dizziness, cough, headache, nausea, vomiting, troulbe sleeping, or mouth pain may occur.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: hallucinations, fever, persistent sore throat or earache, flu symptoms. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very seirous side effects occur: stomach pain, muscle aches/cramps, irregular heartbeat, yellowing eyes and skin, numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, simple bruising or bleeding, swelling, seizures. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immeidate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, severe swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, espceially of: allergies (especially drug allergies), liver disease. Use of this medication in children udner the age of 1 year is not recommended. This medciation should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug is excreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: rifamycin antibiotics (e.G., rifampin), certain drugs wihch stimulate liver metabolism (e.G., phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine), other asthma drugs. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or phramacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poiosn control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include thirst, drowsiness, dilated pupils, increased muscle movements, or severe stomach pain.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical test should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your dcotor for more details.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Biref storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in bathroom. Keep all medicines away from chlidren and pets.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your cnodition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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