"Montelukast" - a drug with a bronchodilating effect. It was synthesized relatively recently and is not addictive. The medicine relieves bronchospasm, preventing asthma attacks.
The drug is available in the form of chewable and simple tablets for oral administration. It acts as follows: eliminates muscle spasm in the pulmonary vessels, reduces edema and slows down the processes of mucus separation.
Montelukast is released (analogs-synonyms: "Singular" and "Singlon") according to the recipe; it is stored for no more than a year in a dark, dry room.
Application
The drug is taken in an amount of 4-10 milligrams once a day, adults are shown to use a maximum dose of 10 mg at bedtime, the effect of the drug is enough for a day. After the symptoms have been eliminated (usually this occurs on the first day after administration), prophylaxis should be continued. The duration of prevention depends on the severity of the disease and the characteristics of the body and is set by the doctor. May be prescribed with inhalers.
Usually, to prevent spasm, you need to take 5 mg of Montelukast. Analogs, instructions for use - all this says that the effect occurs within two hours, lasts all day; while taking more than ten milligrams of the drug does not increase the effectiveness of the action.
Taking with other medicines
- Simultaneous use with other drugs for bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis is allowed.
- "Phenobarbital" reduces the effectiveness of "Montelukast" by about forty percent, the effect is somewhat delayed (by 1-3 hours), which can negatively affect health in case of a sudden spasm.
- Gradually, due to pharmacokinetics, inhaled GCS (glucocorticosteroids) can be canceled. In the remission stage, this makes it possible for the patient to live peacefully and save on medications.
Indications for use
Montelukast medicine, analogues are prescribed in the following cases:
- If necessary, eliminate the chronic runny nose caused by an allergic reaction, regardless of nature (allergy during hay fever or constant sensitivity to something).
- For the prevention of asthma.
- For continuous therapy of bronchial asthma in case of an allergic reaction to aspirin (ordinary salicin).
- The need to cancel the cyclic daily attacks of asthma.
- Prevention of bronchospasm with high physical activity.
Contraindications
The drug "Montelukast" (analogues, generics and drugs of a similar series) is contraindicated in two cases:
- Allergic reactions (from urticaria to anaphylactic shock) to the active component of the drug - montelukast sodium.
- Age to two years.
With caution, "Montelukast" is prescribed for:
- Children under six years old.
- Dysfunction of the liver, in particular - liver failure. Perhaps the development of hepatitis in individuals with a predisposition to this disease.
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- Concomitant use with other drugs.
Side effects
Most often when the drug is taken "Montelukast", analogues and its generics, indigestion, severe dizziness and short-term loss of orientation, headache and swelling of the mucous membranes may occur.
Less commonly (less than a tenth of a percent of patients), such unpleasant consequences occur:
- Drowsiness, fatigue, aggression and hallucinations.
- Convulsions, provoking epileptic seizures in patients with a predisposition.
- Gastrointestinal tract disorders, manifested in nausea, loose stools and pain in the abdomen and pelvis.
- Allergic reactions.
- Unreasonable pain in the muscles and joints.
- Increasing the chance of bleeding, swelling and bruising (hematomas), therefore, the drug is strictly forbidden to give leukemia patients.
- Cough, runny nose, sensation of heat - a flu-like state.
An overdose of Montelukast drug (instructions for use, price, analogues - all this is similar for prostaglandin preparations, therefore, the effect on the body will be approximately the same) is quite possible. The maximum allowable dose of the drug: 0.2 grams for twenty days or 0.9 grams per week do not cause an overdose effect. In acute overdose (1 gram of the drug at a time), the following symptoms are observed: thirst, vomiting, nervous excitement, which can be replaced by drowsiness. The treatment is to relieve symptoms; there are no specific recommendations.
Analogs and prices
Many drugs have a whole list of substitute drugs, Montelukast is no exception. Analogues of "Singular" and "Singlon" practically do not differ in cost (from eight hundred and fifty rubles per package of the drug).
Please note that you should not self-medicate - the drug should be prescribed only by a doctor.