Description
Same active ingredient (montelukast) as Singulair®, the US brand. Montair Chewable 5 mg is an Indian brand, made and licensed in India. Compare all Montelukast (Generic Singulair) options.
About Montair Chewable 5 mg
Montair Chewable 5 mg is a children’s formulation of montelukast from Cipla. It is a flavored tablet that is chewed rather than swallowed, making daily use easier for children who struggle with tablets. The 5 mg strength is intended for children aged 6 to 14 years.
Why it is prescribed
Montelukast blocks leukotrienes, the inflammatory messengers that narrow airways and trigger sneezing, itching and a blocked nose. For children it is used to:
- Help prevent asthma symptoms, often alongside an inhaled steroid
- Reduce asthma triggered by exercise or play
- Ease seasonal or year-round allergic rhinitis when other treatments are not suitable
How to give it
- Give one tablet once a day. For asthma, the evening is usual.
- Your child should chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing. It can be taken with or without food, though an hour before or two hours after a meal is often suggested.
- Give it every day, including on good days when your child seems well.
This is a preventer. It will not relieve wheezing or breathlessness that has already started, so your child still needs their blue reliever inhaler.
Right strength for age
| Age | Typical montelukast product |
|---|---|
| 2–5 years | Montair Chewable 4 mg |
| 6–14 years | Montair Chewable 5 mg |
| 15 years and over | Montair 10 mg tablet |
Pack sizes
Packs of 30, 60 or 90 chewable tablets, from $13.
Watch for mood and sleep changes
Montelukast has a boxed warning about behavioral side effects. Parents should look out for nightmares, sleepwalking, irritability, aggression, anxiety, low mood or unusual thoughts. Stop the medicine and speak to your child’s doctor if any of these appear.
Other side effects
Headache, tummy ache and thirst are occasionally reported. Seek urgent help if your child develops a rash with swelling or difficulty breathing.
Special note
Chewable montelukast tablets contain aspartame, a source of phenylalanine, which matters for children with phenylketonuria (PKU).
Tips for parents
Tie the dose to a fixed part of the evening routine, such as after brushing teeth, so it is not forgotten. Keep a simple diary of night-time coughing, wheeze and reliever use; this helps the doctor judge whether the preventer is working. Bring the inhaler and spacer to every asthma review so technique can be checked.
Frequently asked questions
What if my child misses a dose?
Skip it and give the next one at the usual time; do not give two tablets.
Where can I find other asthma medicines?
See our asthma range.
For general information only. Children’s asthma treatment should always be directed by a doctor.
Helpful guides
- Nasal Spray for Allergies: How Steroid Sprays Work and How to Use ThemHow steroid nasal sprays treat allergic rhinitis and hay fever, how long they take to work, the correct spraying technique and side…
- Types of Asthma Inhalers: Relievers, Preventers and How to Use Them CorrectlyLearn the types of asthma inhalers (relievers, preventers and combination inhalers), how each one works, and step-by-step tips for correct inhaler technique.