Montelukast
Montelukast is an oral leukotriene receptor antagonist used as controller therapy for asthma and for selected allergic-rhinitis patients. Because serious neuropsychiatric events have been reported, the indication and ongoing need should be reviewed rather than treating it as a risk-free allergy tablet.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Drug class
- Leukotriene receptor antagonist
- Main uses
- Asthma controller therapy; prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction; allergic rhinitis in selected patients when alternatives are inadequate or unsuitable
- Route
- Oral
- WHO ATC
- R03DC03
- Key safety
- Boxed warning for serious neuropsychiatric events; it is not a rescue medicine for acute asthma symptoms.
- Monitoring
- Asthma control, rescue-inhaler use, mood/behaviour changes and whether the allergic-rhinitis indication still justifies treatment.
Names & terminology
How this medicine may be named or searched
- Canonical page name
- Montelukast
- INN / generic name
- Montelukast
- Aliases / salts
- montelukast · montelukast sodium
- Russian support entity
- montelukast.ru — entity relationship only, not a clinical source
Structured drug profile
Drug profile
What is Montelukast?
Montelukast is an oral leukotriene receptor antagonist used as controller therapy for asthma and for selected allergic-rhinitis patients. Because serious neuropsychiatric events have been reported, the indication and ongoing need should be reviewed rather than treating it as a risk-free allergy tablet.
What is Montelukast used for?
Asthma controller therapy; prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction; allergic rhinitis in selected patients when alternatives are inadequate or unsuitable. The exact approved indication depends on the product, route and country. [1]
How it works
Blocks cysteinyl leukotriene CysLT1 receptors, reducing leukotriene-mediated airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction.
Forms and formulations
Tablets, chewable tablets and oral granules. Different formulations may have different indications, strengths, excipients and instructions and should not be assumed interchangeable.
Country / market layer
Availability and formulations by market
Brand names, strengths, prescription status and approved uses vary by jurisdiction. Check the exact national product record before relying on a formulation.
Availability depends on the active ingredient, route and formulation; not every medicine in this reference has a current UK product.
U.S. authorization and formulation availability may differ substantially from Europe and other markets.
How it is used
Take on the schedule prescribed for the indication. Keep prescribed rescue inhalers available because montelukast does not reverse an acute asthma attack. Do not take extra doses for sudden wheeze unless specifically instructed in a treatment plan.
For prescription treatment, use the patient-specific regimen rather than copying a dose from another person or another formulation.
Side effects
Headache and gastrointestinal symptoms can occur. The most important safety concern is possible serious mood, sleep, behaviour or suicidal symptoms, which can occur during treatment or after discontinuation.
Important warnings and monitoring
Contact the prescriber promptly for new agitation, aggression, depression, abnormal dreams, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts or other marked neuropsychiatric change. Acute severe asthma symptoms require the rescue plan and urgent care when indicated.
Monitoring context: Asthma control, rescue-inhaler use, mood/behaviour changes and whether the allergic-rhinitis indication still justifies treatment.
Interactions
Montelukast has fewer major interactions than many drugs, but medicines that strongly affect hepatic enzymes can alter exposure. Always review the complete medicine list.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Asthma control remains important in pregnancy. Decisions about montelukast should consider prior response, alternatives and maternal disease severity rather than stopping controller treatment without advice.
Overdose and accidental extra doses
Large overdoses most often cause gastrointestinal or neurologic symptoms but should be assessed using poison-centre or emergency guidance, especially in children.
Practical clinical context
The most important distinction is between the medicine entity and a specific marketed product. Strength, salt, route, modified-release design, age authorization and prescription status can change between products. When safety or dosing decisions matter, use the exact package leaflet, prescribing information or national regulator record for the product actually being used.
This page deliberately separates general evidence from the project’s Russian-language support site montelukast.ru; that site identifies the cross-language entity but is not treated as an authority for clinical claims.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
No. It is a controller medicine and does not replace a fast-acting rescue treatment for acute symptoms.
Serious neuropsychiatric events, including suicidal thoughts or actions, have been reported.
Yes in some patients, but because of the neuropsychiatric warning, allergic-rhinitis use is generally reserved for situations where alternatives are ineffective or not tolerated.
Promptly contact the prescriber and follow the safety advice if new neuropsychiatric symptoms appear.
No. It is a leukotriene receptor antagonist.
Sources
Clinical statements in this reference are based on named public-health, regulatory or guideline sources. Product-specific labeling remains authoritative for exact indications, dosing and contraindications.
- 1. MedlinePlus. Montelukast Drug Information. Source ↗
- 2. FDA. Boxed Warning for serious mental health side effects with montelukast. Source ↗
This medicine reference is evidence-based and is awaiting clinician review. It is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.