Review of Singulair for Asthma

Asthma is a very debilitating illness, and requires immediate attention when detected. Here is a review of a new type of medication, called Singulair, which can help those that suffer from asthma, a chronic form of bronchitis. For asthma, Singulair is suggested to be taken once a day, during the evening as prescribed.

Singulair is used in the maintenance treatment of asthma and also to relieve seasonal allergies. Singulair is a prescription medication that is approved for use to help control asthma in adults and children 12 months and older, and for relief of symptoms of outdoor allergies in adults and children as young as 2 years, and indoor allergies in adults and children as young as 6 months. Singulair is used for prevention of exercise-induced asthma in patients that are 15 years or older. Administered orally, Singulair was developed by Merck & Co., Inc. Singulair is also known as Montelukast.

Singulair does not replace the fast-acting inhaler. I used a fast-acting inhaler when I was prescribed one, and the fast-acting inhaler relieves bronchitis easily. Singulair, with its ability to treat both asthma and seasonal allergies, is effective, and its side effects do not seem as heavy as over-the-counter seasonal allergy medication.

Singulair is a leukotriene inhibitor. Leukotrienes are chemicals released within the body when allergen is inhaled. Allergens can cause swelling in the lungs and tightening of the muscles around airways, which often result in asthma-like symptoms. Singulair prevents narrowing of the air passages in the lungs.

It is still unknown whether Singulair passes into a patient's breast milk. It is also unknown whether or not Singulair could harm a nursing baby. Please note that many different prescription and over-the-counter medications can interact with Singulair and do not start using a new medication without consulting a doctor. Singulair is available as 4 milligram chewable pink, oval tablets, 5 milligram pink, round tablets, 10 milligram beige, rounded-square shaped, film-coated tablets, and 4 milligram white oral granules.

Sources:

1. http://www.singulair.com/montelukast_sodium/singulair/consumer/index.jsp.
2. http://www.singulairfacts.com/singfacts/singulairfacts/index.jsp.
3. http://www.drugs.com/singulair.html.
4. http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/s/singulair/singulair_ppi.pdf.