Allergy season is in full swing and many of us must turn to medications for relief. There are several over-the-counter options, but for more effective relief, a prescription is often necessary. Consult your doctor to discuss which option is best for you. Singulair is a common and effective prescription option used to treat asthma, hay fever, allergies, and exercise-induced asthma. Singulair side effects are both positive and negative, and include changes in mood and behavior which has caused controversies in recent years.
With so many drugs on the market, it is important to understand both the positive and negative effects of starting a new drug regiment.
What Is Singulair?
Singulair or montelukast is a common prescription drug used to treat and prevent common symptoms of asthma in people 12 months and older. It is effective in the treatment of indoor, outdoor, seasonal allergies, and hay fever. Singulair is also effective in preventing exercise-induced bronchospasms, or asthma attacks, in adults and children six years and older.
Doctors prescribe Singulair as a long-term asthma and allergy prevention medicine. Singulair relieves the full spectrum of allergy symptoms including sneezy, stuffy, and runny noses, along with nasal itching.
As with any prescription medication, there are several considerations to discuss with your doctor before starting use. Singulair side effects fall on both the positive and negative sides of the scale. This medication is for long-term treatment and should not be taken to assist a sudden or emergency airway-constriction attack.
How Does It Work?
Singulair blocks fatty signaling molecules called leukotrienes with the active ingredient, montelukast sodium. The body produces leukotrienes in response to inflammation, so they play a key role in triggering symptoms of hay fever and asthma.
When someone inhales asthma triggers, leukotrienes respond by promoting:
Pollen is a common asthma trigger that causes the body to produce leukotrienes. Once released in the body, leukotrienes cause redness and swelling in the airways. This results in constriction of the airways and other asthma symptoms including:
How Is It Used?
Singulair should be taken once a day, usually in the evenings. It is available in multiple forms depending on dosage and age of the patient.
Forms of the drug include:
Asthma
Exercise-Induced Bronchospasms
For prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasms or EIB, a single dose should
be taken at least two hours before exercise.
The following doses are recommended for general use:
Only one dose of Singulair should be taken in a 24-hour-period. Patients taking Singulair daily for other issues (including chronic asthma) should not take an additional dose to prevent EIB.
Indoor, Outdoor, & Seasonal Allergies
For the treatment of indoor, outdoor, and seasonal allergies, Singulair should be taken once daily in either the morning or evening.
The following doses are recommended for general use:
Administration
Oral granules can either be administered directly in the mouth, dissolved in a teaspoon of baby formula or breast milk, or mixed with a spoonful of soft food (applesauce, rice, pureed carrots). Do not open the packet before administering the medication. Once opened, the full dosage should be administered within 15 minutes. Do not save granules for future use as their effectiveness cannot be guaranteed.
Do not discontinue usage without first consulting your doctor. When treating asthma, continue taking Singulair even during periods without asthma-related symptoms to keep your asthma under control in the long-term. This medication works over time and is not for the treatment of sudden asthma attacks. Seek medical help right away if your asthma symptoms suddenly worsen and a rescue inhaler does not relieve symptoms.
Overdose
Call 911 immediately if someone has overdosed and displays serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing. If symptoms are less severe, call poison control for the best course of action. United States residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
If you miss a dose in your administration routine, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. To prevent overdosing, do not double the dose to catch up and take more than one dose in 24 hours.
To maintain effectiveness, Singulair should be stored at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom as the moisture will damage the medication.
The Good
Singulair is an effective treatment for a large percentage of users. In clinical trials, only 1% of users reported negative side effects after using Singulair. As with any medication, there are possible negative side effects. However, the number of negative reactions is very small when compared to the amount of daily users worldwide.
Common Singulair Side Effects
After taking Singulair, patients experienced a reduction in the following symptoms:
The Bad
As with any prescription medication, there are potential negative side effects. Consult your doctor if any negative side effects present after dosage, but especially those listed in the uncommon category.
Singulair side effects have attracted national attention in recent years due to their effects on mental behavior and mood. Children and young people are at particular risk of these negative side effects. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received several complaints about the extreme emotional side effects of Singulair. In 2015, the FDA issued an early warning to manufacturers of the drug in 2008 and began investigations into the complaints regarding Singulair.
Due to these issues, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) requires Singulair prescriptions to contain warning labels and encourages parents to contact their doctor immediately if children display any negative symptoms.
Common Singulair Side Effects
The most common Singulair side effects include:
Uncommon Singulair Side Effects
Contact your doctor immediately if any of these rare but serious mental and mood changes arise:
Other less common negative Singulair side effects include:
A very serious allergic reaction to Singulair is rare. However, seek medical attention immediately if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:
Drug Interactions
Patients should always consult with their doctor before starting any new drug regiment. It is important to note all other prescription and over-the-counter medications being used to prevent any negative drug interactions. Pregnant women in particular should use caution when starting any new drug regiment.
If a patient has a history of aspirin sensitivity, they should avoid aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents while taking Singulair. The chewable tablet form on Singulair contains a component of aspartame called phenylalanine. People with allergies to aspartame or phenylalanine should not use Singulair.
Conclusion
Singulair or Montelukaust is an effective treatment for symptoms of asthma, hay fever, exercise-induced bronchospasms, and allergies. The medication works to block inflammation-inducing leukotrienes that bring on the symptoms of allergies, hay fever, and asthma.
Doctors recommend daily long-term administration to treat these issues. Singulair is available in a variety of forms depending on the age of the patient with dissolvable oral granules for infants and young children and swallowable tablets for young adults and adults.
Users report a reduction in symptoms including wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, mucus production, and itchy/sneezy/runny noses. As with any prescription medication, there are negative Singulair side effects ranging from less serious (fever, cough, earache) to the severe (extreme mood swings, anxiety, hallucinations). Teens and young adults are especially susceptible to these negative mood effects and parents should carefully monitor their behavior during dosage.
If you are suffering from allergies or asthma, consult your doctor for the best prescription medication to suit your medical needs.
I was prescribed both Fluticasone and Singular for over a year
Mainly for sinus infection
I’m 73 years old and after awhile I was experiencing some balancing issues
I discontinued taking the Flonase (on my own) to see if it was contributing to equilibrium issues after about two weeks I noticed some improvements does singular have similar effects