What is Montelukast good for?

The mentelukast is a medicine that helps to improve the symptoms of asthma, allergies , seasonal and prevent various respiratory difficulties generated by the execution of exercises. It has the ability to inhibit the cellular formation of leukotrienes that cause inflammation and contractions in the airways and secretion of mucus in the lungs in asthmatics.

Montelukast benefits

This leukotriene inhibitor acts on allergy-causing chemicals that allow symptoms of inflammation in the lungs and muscle constriction around the respiratory system allowing the onset of asthma and other allergic conditions. Its efficient action blocks leukotrienes and thus favorably improves the symptoms of these conditions.

This medication is indicated to treat the following symptoms and conditions:

• It is used as a treatment for persistent, mild or moderate asthma attacks in children and adults.
• For asthma attacks that are not adequately controlled with inhaled corticosteroids and need additional treatment.
• Prevents bronchus spasm caused by exercises.
• Chronic or seasonal allergy symptoms.
• It is used to prevent wheezing and shortness of breath caused by asthma.
• It has the property of reducing the number of asthma attacks.
• By using it before exercising, you will avoid a bronchoconstriction of the airways in the lungs.
• This medicine helps decrease the need to use your quick-relief inhaler.
• It can improve congestion, itching, and a runny nose or sneezing, caused by the symptoms of rhinitis and pollinosis.
• It has the ability to attack some natural substances, which can affect the body and worsen allergic and asthmatic symptoms.

How to use montelukast

It is important to know how to use this medicine, therefore read the following instructions carefully:

• Instructions should be followed as indicated on the label or as prescribed by the doctor.
• It is necessary to consume the recommended dose and not exceed the amounts to avoid adverse effects.
• It should be noted that it is not a rescue medicine, this means that its function is not fast enough in the event of a severe asthma attack.
• The tablet should be swallowed whole with a glass of water and the chewable tablet should be chewed completely before swallowing.
• Oral granules can be mixed with puree, yogurt, ice cream or simply placed directly in the mouth and swallowed.
• Once opened, oral granule packs should be used within a maximum of 15 minutes.
• It should be taken until the symptoms have disappeared, in case of not seeing improvement, the treating doctor should be notified.
• In case you are taking other additional medications, you should be aware of the schedule and the doses of each one as indicated by the doctor.
• It is necessary to keep it stored in a place that is at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.

Montelukast Presentations

• In tablets : they come in boxes of 10, 20 and 30 tablets, of 10 milligrams.
• In chewable tablets : each box contains 10, 14, 20, 28, 0 30 tablets, of 4 or 5 milligrams.
• In granulated sachets : they contain 500 milligrams each, with a concentration of 4 milligrams.

Recommended doses of montelukast

Depending on each case or age, the treatment will be indicated as follows:

For chronic or preventive treatment of asthma symptoms and allergic rhinitis

• In children 2 to 5 years: the indicated dose is 4 milligrams, 1 time a day.
• In children 6 to 14 years: they should take 5 milligrams in a single dose a day.
• In 15-year-old adolescent or adults: the corresponding dose is 10 milligrams daily.

For treatment of nasal polyposis

• In this case it is administered only in adults: the dose should be 10 milligrams per day.

For the treatment of atopic dermatitis

• In children: the appropriate dose is between 5 and 10 milligrams a day.
• In adults: doses of 10 milligrams daily are recommended.

Montelukast precautions

Before starting to take this medicine, it is necessary to know what the warnings are to prevent adverse effects. Among the most important are:

• One must be sure of not having hypersensitivity to its components.
• The doctor should know if allergic reactions to aspirin have occurred.
• If you have phenylketonuria, your doctor should know, as the chewable tablet contains phenylalanine.
• In case of being pregnant, the doctor should be informed so that he can indicate the appropriate treatment.
• If the doctor indicates another medicine, it is necessary to inform him that he is under this treatment.
• In case of not noticing improvement with this medicine, the treating doctor should be informed immediately.
• This medicine should not be taken on its own initiative, it should be prescribed by a specialist doctor.
• It is advisable not to interrupt the treatment or reduce the doses so that you feel improvement.

Montelukast side effects

When presenting allergic reactions during the taking of this treatment, you should immediately inform the doctor or go to an emergency center depending on the difficulty you present. These side effects can be classified as follows:

Common side effects

• Stomach ache.
• Common cold symptoms.
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion.
• Headache.
• Sensation of having a dry mouth.
• Deficiency in bladder control.
• Sinusitis.
• Vomiting
• Sickness.
• Frequent malaise.
• Dizziness
• Nasal congestion.

Serious side effects

• Mood swings or unusual behaviors
• Excess heat.
• Inflammation in the liver.
• Urticaria.
• Joint pains
• Cardiac disorders.
• Rashes.
• Formation of pimples
• Nose bleed.
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat.
• Severe tingling
• Muscle aches and pains.
• Disorientation.
• Seizures
• Drowsiness.
• Anxiety.
• Difficulty to sleep.
• Depression.
• Unusual aggressiveness.
• Hallucinations
• Lack of concentration.
• Soft spot.
• Bruises on the skin.
• Respiratory infection.
• Bleeding
• Numbness.
• Purple rash on various parts of the body.
• Inflammation and earache.
• Fever.
• Burning eyes.
• Severe sore throat
• Difficulty to swallow.
• Peeling.
• Blisters

Montelukast contraindications

Here are some contraindications to consider:

• While taking this medication, salicylic acid or anti-inflammatory medications should be avoided.
• In case of presenting swelling in some parts of the body, especially if it affects the vocal cords, it should be stopped immediately and notify the doctor.
• If you notice that your breathing is altered when taking the medicine, inform your doctor promptly.
• This drug is not prescribed in cases of acute asthma.
• It is not recommended in children under 2 years of age.
• On some occasions this medicine can cause drowsiness or dizziness, therefore if you are under this treatment, you should avoid driving vehicles or machinery that require concentration.

Conclusion of the use of montelukast

To conclude this interesting topic, it can be said that this drug, which is administered orally, has an antagonistic action against the leukotriene receptors to block the action of various substances in the body that produce allergic rhinitis, bronchospasm and asthma. bronchial.

These conditions generate symptoms such as chest tightness, coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath and nasal congestion among others, which can be alleviated with the use of this medicine.