This article describes montelukast oral tablet’s dosages and strength and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for montelukast. If you want to know more about montelukast oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Montelukast oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Singulair. Montelukast also comes in other oral forms taken by mouth, but those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about those forms, talk with your doctor.
Montelukast oral tablet has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the end of this article.
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Form and strength of montelukast
Montelukast oral tablet comes as follows:
- Form: oral tablet that you take by swallowing
- Strength: 10 milligrams (mg)
Dosage of montelukast
This article describes the recommended dosages for montelukast oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of montelukast oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of montelukast in adults
Usually, doctors prescribe a standard montelukast dosage for adults.
Montelukast dosage for asthma and other conditions
The usual recommended dosages for montelukast oral tablet are expressed in milligrams (mg).
| Condition/Purpose | Recommended dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| allergies | 10 mg | once per day |
| asthma | 10 mg | once per day in the evening |
| exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) | 10 mg | at least 2 hours before exercise |
You can take montelukast oral tablet with or without food.
If you’re taking it for allergies, you can take it any time of day. Try to take your dose at the same time each day. For asthma, it’s recommended to take montelukast oral tablet in the evening. For EIB, do not take more than one dose of montelukast in 24 hours.
Dosages of montelukast in children
Doctors may prescribe the same montelukast oral tablet dosage for children ages 15 years and older.
| Condition/Purpose | Recommended dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| allergies | 10 mg | once per day |
| asthma | 10 mg | once per day in the evening |
| EIB | 10 mg | at least 2 hours before exercise |
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about montelukast oral tablet and its dosage.
Why take montelukast at night?
The drugmaker recommends taking montelukast oral tablet at night when it’s prescribed for asthma. In studies, the people reported taking montelukast for asthma at night. However, there weren’t any studies to show how well it worked for asthma if people took the medication in the morning versus taking it in the evening.
For allergies, comparative studies were done on how effective montelukast oral tablet was if taken in the morning versus in the evening. The medication was effective in both cases. But you should take montelukast at the same time each day. This helps keep consistent levels of the drug in your body.
Be sure you take montelukast oral tablet at the time your doctor recommends. Talk with your doctor if you want to change the time of day you take it.
Is it OK to take 20 mg of montelukast?
No. The recommended dosage of montelukast oral tablet is 10 milligrams (mg) per day. Do not take more than one 10-mg dose in a 24-hour period.
If you feel like your montelukast oral tablet dosage isn’t working, talk with your doctor.
What is the montelukast dosage for cough?
There is no montelukast oral tablet dosage for cough. But cough can be a symptom of allergies, asthma, or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). Doctors prescribe Montelukast oral tablet to treat these conditions. So taking it may help relieve cough due to these conditions. You can read more about the dosage of montelukast oral tablet in the “Dosage of montelukast” section above.
If you’re experiencing a cough, tell your doctor. They can determine the most likely cause and suggest ways to manage it.
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Get free cardOverdose of montelukast
It’s important that you do not take more montelukast oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
What to do if you take too much montelukast
If you think you’ve taken too much montelukast, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Boxed warning for montelukast
Montelukast has a boxed warning for the risk of serious behavior or mood changes. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
Serious mental health problems can occur while taking montelukast oral tablet or even after stopping it. This has happened in people of all ages and those with or without mental health problems in the past.
Serious behavior or mood changes include many problems such as:
- aggressive or hostile behavior
- anxiety
- attention problems
- bad or vivid dreams
- confusion
- depression
- feeling irritable or restless
- hallucinations
- memory problems
- obsessive-compulsive symptoms
- sleep problems
- sleepwalking
- stuttering
- suicidal thoughts or actions
- tremors or uncontrollable muscle movements
If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking montelukast oral tablet and tell your doctor right away. To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have thoughts of suicide during montelukast treatment, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. Or tell your doctor right away. You can also refer to this article for ways to seek support.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.