Montelukast is a preventer taken as a tablet rather than an inhaler, used alongside inhaled treatment in asthma. It works well for some people, particularly where allergy or exercise is a big trigger — and it carries an important warning about mood and behaviour that everyone taking it should know.
Preventing asthma symptoms, particularly where allergy or exercise is a major trigger, and relieving seasonal allergic rhinitis in people who also have asthma. It is often added when an inhaled steroid alone is not enough.
It is a preventer, not a reliever. It does nothing for an asthma attack — your blue inhaler does that.
Once daily in the evening. Chewable tablets are chewed; granules can be given directly in the mouth or mixed with a spoonful of soft food such as yoghurt or apple purée, and used within 15 minutes.
Take it every day, not only on bad days. It can take a few days to show benefit.
For exercise-induced symptoms specifically, the dose is sometimes taken a couple of hours before exercise — follow what you have been told.
This is not a rare small-print caution — it is the main reason montelukast is stopped, and parents should be told to watch for it in children. If you are having a difficult time and need to talk to someone now, Samaritans are on 116 123, free, at any hour.
Headache, stomach ache, thirst, and cold-like symptoms are the more common ones.
Get medical advice for a rash, wheezing that worsens, or unusual bruising.
Never stop your inhaled preventer because montelukast has been added, unless your prescriber tells you to.
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