Montelukast (Generic Singulair)

What is generic Singulair?

Generic Singulair is any medicine that contains montelukast, the active ingredient in Singulair. Montelukast is a once-daily tablet that blocks the action of leukotrienes, natural chemicals that drive airway swelling and tightening, and it is used to prevent asthma symptoms and ease allergic rhinitis. It does not open the airways during an attack, so it never replaces a rescue inhaler.

This page lists Cipla's Montair tablets and chewables and the Indian-market Singulair packs made by MSD Pharmaceuticals India. They contain the same active ingredient as US Singulair and are made and licensed in India.

Montelukast products on this page

Prices can change. US shipping is a flat $30, free on orders of $199 or more.

Is Indian Singulair the same as US Singulair?

Each product contains montelukast, so a 10 mg tablet holds 10 mg whatever the brand. The differences are the maker, the license and the inactive ingredients.

Flavor, color and inactive ingredients can differ; US Singulair chewables, for example, contain aspartame. Check the leaflet in your pack.

Which strength is right for my age?

The US Singulair label sets one dose for each age group (Singulair prescribing information on DailyMed):

• Adults and teens 15 years and older: one 10 mg tablet a day, such as Montair 10 mg or Singulair 10 mg.
• Children 6 to 14 years: one 5 mg chewable tablet a day, such as Montair Chewable 5 mg or Singulair 5 mg.
• Children 2 to 5 years: one 4 mg chewable tablet a day, such as Montair Chewable 4 mg. US 4 mg oral granules are an alternative.
• Under 2 years: the label lists only the 4 mg oral granules, which are not sold on this page.

Take only one montelukast product at a time, and let your doctor confirm the strength.

What is montelukast used for?

In the US, montelukast is labeled to prevent and treat asthma long term from 12 months of age, to prevent exercise-induced narrowing of the airways from 6 years, and to relieve seasonal and year-round allergic rhinitis. It can be used alone or with a steroid preventer inhaler, as your doctor decides, but it should not suddenly replace inhaled or oral steroids. See also our guide to types of asthma inhalers and the asthma category.

For hay fever alone, the FDA advises keeping montelukast for people who do not respond to, or cannot tolerate, other allergy treatments. Many other options exist, including steroid nasal sprays; read how they work in our nasal spray guide or browse allergy treatments.

Can montelukast stop an asthma attack?

No. Montelukast does not treat a sudden attack. Keep a quick-relief albuterol (salbutamol) inhaler, such as Asthalin Inhaler, and follow your action plan. You can usually keep taking montelukast during a flare; get urgent help if your reliever is not working.

For exercise-induced symptoms in people 6 years and older, one dose is taken at least 2 hours before exercise. If you already take montelukast every day, do not take an extra dose before exercise, and never take two doses within 24 hours.

How to take montelukast

• Take one dose a day at about the same time: in the evening for asthma, or when your doctor suggests for allergies. With both conditions, take one evening dose.
• Take it with or without food. Chew the chewable tablets before swallowing.
• Keep taking it every day, even when you have no symptoms, and continue your other asthma medicines unless your doctor changes them.
• If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next one at the usual time. Do not double up.
• Store at 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C), away from moisture and light, per the US label, or as your pack directs.

MedlinePlus has a plain-language montelukast summary.

What is the FDA boxed warning on montelukast?

In March 2020, the FDA added a boxed warning, its most prominent type, about serious mental health side effects, including suicidal thoughts or actions (FDA Drug Safety Communication). The warning concerns the medicine itself, so it applies equally to Montair and to Indian Singulair.

Reported effects include agitation, aggression, anxiety, depression, irritability, vivid or bad dreams, trouble sleeping, sleepwalking, hallucinations, memory or attention problems, stuttering and tics. Some people reported symptoms after stopping the medicine. If you or your child notice changes in mood, behavior or sleep, stop montelukast and contact a doctor right away.

What other side effects can it cause?

The side effects the US label lists as most common in clinical trials include upper respiratory infections, fever, headache, sore throat, cough, stomach pain, diarrhea, ear infections, flu, runny nose and sinusitis. Nausea and indigestion were also reported.

Call your doctor right away about signs of an allergic or skin reaction, such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or skin that blisters or peels, and get emergency help if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. Rarely, a serious inflammatory condition linked to high levels of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) has occurred, sometimes as oral steroids are reduced; tell your doctor promptly about a flu-like illness, rash, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, or sinus pain and swelling.

Who should not use montelukast?

• Anyone allergic to montelukast or any ingredient in the tablet.
• People with depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions, or past suicidal thoughts, should discuss the risks with their doctor first.
• People with phenylketonuria (PKU) should check the ingredients, because US Singulair chewables contain aspartame, a source of phenylalanine.
• If aspirin or anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen trigger your asthma, keep avoiding them; montelukast does not remove that risk.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss it with your doctor. Poorly controlled asthma also carries risks in pregnancy.

Combination tablets such as Montair LC Kid (montelukast with the antihistamine levocetirizine) are different medicines with their own doses and are not covered here.

Frequently asked questions

Is Montair the same as Singulair?

Montair contains the same active ingredient, montelukast, in the same strengths. It is made and licensed in India by Cipla.

Can I take montelukast in the morning?

For asthma, the label says evening. For allergic rhinitis alone, the timing can vary; ask your doctor.

Is montelukast a steroid?

No. It is a leukotriene receptor antagonist and does not replace a steroid inhaler unless your doctor says so.

Can children take montelukast?

Yes, at the dose for their age: 4 mg chewables from 2 to 5 years and 5 mg from 6 to 14 years. Watch for nightmares or mood and behavior changes, and call the doctor if they appear.

Can I take an extra tablet if my asthma is bad?

No. Take only one dose in 24 hours and use your reliever inhaler for sudden symptoms. Seek urgent care if it is not helping.

This guide gives general information and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Montelukast is a prescription medicine; use it only as prescribed, keep your rescue inhaler with you, and seek emergency care during a severe asthma attack.