Montelukast oral granules

What is this medicine?

MONTELUKAST (mon te LOO kast) is used to prevent and treat the symptoms of asthma. It is also used to treat allergies. Do not use for an acute asthma attack.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. This medicine may be taken with or without food. For asthma, take this medicine once a day in the evening. For allergies, take this medicine once a day, at about the same time each day. Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not open the packet until ready to use. After opening the packet, the dose must be given within 15 minutes. The granules can be placed directly into the mouth. Or, the granules can be mixed in one teaspoonful of baby formula or breast milk or in one teaspoon of applesauce, carrots, rice, or ice cream. Do not mix with any liquids except formula or breast milk. Discard any unused medicine and mixture.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. This medicine has been used in children as young as 12 months of age to control asthma and as young as 6 months of age to control allergies.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash or hives, or swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• changes in emotions or moods

• confusion

• depressed mood

• fever or infection

• hallucinations

• joint pain

• painful lumps under the skin

• pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet

• redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• restlessness

• seizures

• sleep walking

• signs and symptoms of infection like fever; chills; cough; sore throat; flu-like illness

• signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin

• sinus pain or swelling

• stuttering

• suicidal thoughts or other mood changes

• tremors

• trouble sleeping

• uncontrolled muscle movements

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• vivid or bad dreams

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• dizziness

• drowsiness

• headache

• runny nose

• stomach upset

• tiredness

What may interact with this medicine?

• anti-infectives like rifampin and rifabutin

• medicines for seizures like phenytoin, phenobarbital, and carbamazepine

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, skip it. Take your next dose at the normal time. Do not take extra or 2 doses at the same time to make up for the missed dose.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at a room temperature of 59 to 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C). Protect from light and moisture. Keep in the original package. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• liver disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to montelukast, medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your doctor or health care professional if your allergy or asthma symptoms do not improve. Take your medicine even when you do not have symptoms. Do not stop taking any of your medicine(s) unless your doctor tells you to.

If you have asthma, talk to your doctor about what to do in an acute asthma attack. Always have your inhaled rescue medicine for asthma attacks with you.

Patients and their families should watch for new or worsening thoughts of suicide or depression. Also watch for sudden changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. Any worsening of mood or thoughts of suicide or dying should be reported to your health care professional right away.