Montelukast Uses and Side Effects are, discussed in this article. Also, you will learn how to administer this drug and its dosage. Read on to learn more about the drug and its side effects, including pregnancy. Montelukast is, used to treat a variety of conditions, including infections and cancer.
Dosage
Montelukast is an oral drug that inhibits the production of leukotrienes. It can be taken as a single tablet or in a combination with room-temperature food. The drug should be taken within 15 minutes after opening the packet. It works by inhibiting the cysteinyl receptor. This receptor is implicated in asthma pathophysiology. Cysteinyl leukotrienes are, released from the nasal mucosa and are the cause of allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms.
Montelukast is, also used to treat viral infections. It is also effective in treating a broad range of RNA viruses and non-RNA viruses, as well as parasites, bacteria and fungi. It also inhibits the activity of TLRs, which are known to cause inflammation and other adverse reactions.
Levocetirizine and montelukast can use together to treat certain types of viral infections. Together, they inhibit the activity of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-4. This inhibits inflammatory responses and allows the body’s immune defenses to attack the pathogens.
Montelukast is, absorbed quickly from the gastrointestinal tract, with peak plasma concentrations occurring within 2.6-4 hours. It also undergoes hepatic metabolism, with a volume of distribution of between eight to eleven L. In children, Montelukast is, excreted almost entirely via the biliary system.
The dosage of Montelukast can vary depending on the severity of the disease. The medication may be administered in a single dose or in a series of dosages. Some dosages contain as little as 50 mg, and others contain up to 400 mg.
Administration
In a multicenter phase IV study, Montelukast 10 mg was, well tolerated in patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis. Only 14 patients experienced treatment-related adverse events, and none were severe. A crossover study of montelukast in adult patients showed similar effects after two 10-mg doses. However, montelukast is, not recommended for patients younger than 15 years of age.
The risks associated with montelukast therapy include nausea, vomiting, and dyspepsia. The drug may also lead to a higher risk of gastrointestinal problems such as pancreatitis and diarrhea. However, the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding is very low.
Moreover, studies of montelukast have shown that this antimalarial is associated with fewer serious adverse effects compared to salmeterol, a common alternative. Montelukast sodium is available in tablet form and is hygroscopic and optically active. It is soluble in water, ethanol, and methanol, and practically insoluble in acetonitrile. A 10-mg film-coated montelukast tablet contains 10.4 mg of montelukast sodium and lactose monohydrate. In addition, it is coated with hydroxypropyl cellulose and is soluble in ethanol.
Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist. It binds to the CysLT1 receptor and inhibits its activity. As a result, it inhibits leukotriene-mediated inflammation. It also increases capillary permeability and inhibits bronchoconstriction.
Side effects
Montelukast is a leukotriene inhibitor, used to treat asthma and allergies. However, there are some common side effects of the drug, including upper respiratory infections, sore throat, cough, and stomach pain. Some of these effects can be severe enough to make it difficult to continue taking the drug. If you experience these symptoms, speak to your healthcare provider about alternative treatments.
As with other medicines, montelukast may cause changes in asthma symptoms. As a result, you should avoid activities and situations that trigger asthma attacks. In addition, you should avoid taking aspirin or other NSAIDs if they exacerbate your asthma. It is also important to keep your medicine out of the reach of children and to use it only for the intended indication.
Montelukast can also cause serious neuropsychiatric side effects. In studies, the drug was, linked to an increased risk of anxiety, depression, and psychotic reactions in children and adolescents. In addition, a higher risk of suicidal behavior was, reported in some cases. However, more research needs to quantify this risk. In the meantime, it is important to educate patients about these risks and report new cases if they develop them.
While there are some other possible side effects of montelukast, the medication is generally safe when used as directed. It is usually taken once a day for prevention of asthma, allergies, and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. However, it should not be taken if you are already suffering from asthma or allergies. Taking the medicine before exercising is, also not recommended as it increases the risk of side effects.
Pregnancy
Montelukast is a selective leukotriene receptor antagonist that is, indicated for the maintenance treatment of asthma. This drug is safe for use during pregnancy and has few reported adverse effects. Its safety during pregnancy is, supported by animal studies. In a 2000 position statement, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended its use in pregnant women with recalcitrant asthma. The data supporting the statement are, limited but the manufacturers of the drug have, maintained a pregnancy registry of pregnant women exposed to the drug.
Despite the safety of montelukast, it is important to discuss the benefits and risks of its use with your doctor before taking it. Pregnancy-related risks are, limited but are worth considering. A recent study of montelukast during pregnancy found that the medication was safe for the developing fetus. Its use during pregnancy does not raise the risk of serious birth defects, but it may increase the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, or preeclampsia in the baby.
The manufacturer of montelukast maintains a pregnancy registry. As of July 2009, the manufacturer has received 391 prospective reports of pregnancy exposure. Of these, 140 have not been followed up. Among these, 3 were spontaneous abortions. Another two were live births. Two infants suffered from Down syndrome.
Embryo/fetal development
Montelukast is, used for the treatment of asthma, including neonatal asthma. While no definitive evidence exists to support this risk, some studies have shown that the drug has developmental benefits in mice, rats, and humans. However, these studies have limitations, including small sample sizes, retrospective data collection, and inconsistent comparator groups. Despite these limitations, one large montelukast study did not show any negative effects on the development of fetal and embryo limbs.
Montelukast uses for embryo development, studied in more than a thousand women, and no link was, found between it and birth defects. Nevertheless, it is important to consult your doctor before starting treatment, as they can ensure you are receiving the correct dosage. The first 12 weeks of pregnancy are crucial for the development of the baby, as the body of the fetus begins to form.
A recent study published in JAMA compared the effects of montelukast on infants exposed to the drug in early pregnancy. While the risks were similar to those seen with other asthma drugs, the drug also posed a risk for malformation. Researchers, identified 161 live births among mothers, exposed to montelukast in the first trimester and compared their results with a group of undistributed controls.
Cost
Montelukast is a prescription drug, used for maintenance treatment of asthma and seasonal allergies. The retail cost of a 90-day supply is $41 or $100. The out-of-pocket cost is typically lower, but can vary significantly, depending on your insurance plan and the drug’s formulary. You should also consider your copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. Medicare Part D offers various phases of coverage, so you should check with your plan to see what your options are.
While inhaled corticosteroids remain the cornerstone of anti-inflammatory therapy, leukotriene modifiers have emerged as the first-line treatment for many patients with mild or persistent asthma. Montelukast has a convenient once-daily dosing schedule and is, approved for pediatric use. It also has no reported clinically significant drug interactions and does not require routine liver function testing. Its price is comparable to zileuton and zafirlukast, two other commonly used medications for asthma.
A 30-day supply of montelukast can be quite expensive, especially if you don’t have insurance. However, it’s a valuable medicine for controlling asthma symptoms and preventing exercise-induced bronchospasm. The typical dosage is 10 mg, once a day. It costs $4 without insurance, so the cost isn’t out of reach for most people.
A recent study found a significant difference in TNSS in patients treated with montelukast, fexofenadine, or levocetirizine. However, the cost-effectiveness ratio for montelukast was lower, and the reduction in TNSS was greater. These results suggest that montelukast-levocetirizine is the better option for those patients who can afford the treatment.
