Singulair

Generic Name: Montelukast sodium
Product Name: Singulair

Indication

Treatment of asthma.

Action

Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs, resulting in constriction, the tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways, and inflammation, the swelling and irritation of the airways. Constriction and inflammation cause narrowing of the airways, which may result in symptoms such as coughing, chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath. If you suffer from asthma, when your airways come in contact with a trigger factor, such as dust, smoke or cold weather, there is inappropriate smooth muscle contraction. Singulair acts by antagonizing airway smooth muscle contraction and inflammation. It binds to a receptor called the cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT1) receptor. This means that mediators in the airway cannot bind to the receptor, decreasing the amount of constriction, secretion of mucous and inflammatory processes.

Dose advice

Singulair comes in three different forms:

MSD- Singlair: tab (chewable- pink) 4mg, 28 tabs
MSD- Singlair: tab (chewable- pink) 5mg, 28 tabs
MSD- Singlair: tab (beige) 10mg, 28 tabs

The doses to be taken are as follows:

Adults greater than or equal to 15 yrs:

10mg once daily at bedtime.
Child 6-14 years: 5mg once daily at bedtime.
Child 2-5 years: 4mg once daily at bedtime.
Pregnancy: Limited experience. ADEC category B1.
Lactation: Limited experience, should be safe to use. May be taken with or without food. It is important to remember that 5 mg and 10 mg tablets are not equivalent multiples of each other and should not be interchanged.