Montelukast is a common prescription medication used for the treatment of asthma because it is effective in preventing the symptoms of asthma. When prescribed to patients with mild asthma symptoms, this medication can prevent the symptoms from worsening. Some patients will take this medication before exercise to help patients avoid breathing difficulties during workouts.
In some cases, the medication can help patients avoid using their inhalers too often. Montelukast may also be helpful for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and hay fever. What should patients know about this medication?
Patients taking any medication may experience weight loss or weight gain. It depends on the patient’s health and the medication they’re taking. Montelukast may cause changes to the patient’s weight as well.
In general, it is believed that Montelukast should not cause weight loss or gain. During studies, these side effects were not reported by participants taking Montelukast. However, the patient may be taking other drugs to treat asthma. If this is the case, the patient may experience weight loss or gain. Does Montelukast cause weight gain?
The medication should not cause weight gain.
Unfortunately, some medications will have an impact on the patient’s mental health. Therefore, it is pertinent to prepare for these potential risks. Montelukast has been linked to serious mental health issues. For instance, users have reported experiencing sleeping difficulties and abnormal dreams when taking this medication.
Others have encountered depression and agitation. In severe cases, the patient may have suicidal thoughts. If someone is taking this medication and they experience suicidal thoughts, they should speak to a medical professional immediately. It may be a good idea to switch to an alternative.
The good thing about Montelukast is that the medication doesn’t have a high risk of interacting with other substances. It can be used with many other medications although there are some exceptions. Surprisingly, Montelukast can be taken when drinking alcohol. The patient also doesn’t need to avoid any specific foods when taking this medication.
Still, there is a possibility that there will be interactions when using alcohol and Montelukast. Therefore, it is still a good idea to moderate to avoid potential problems.
Should patients use Benadryl when taking Montelukast? Again, it has been found that Montelukast usually doesn’t interact with other medications. Therefore, it may be okay to use it with other drugs. In particular, it can be used with Benadryl. Although no interactions were found, the patient may still experience issues.
When mixing these substances, do so with caution. If any problems are experienced, stop taking them together.
Montelukast can be taken with antihistamines. In fact, it is common for patients to receive a combination drug with antihistamines and Montelukast. This medication works well for patients dealing with consistent allergic rhinitis. A controlled study found that it improved the quality of life for patients with this condition.
Patients should consult with a medical professional to determine whether this is a good option for them.
Pregnant women have to be very cautious because certain medications can impact their pregnancies. It is essential to work with a doctor to determine which drugs are okay and which should be avoided. Can pregnant women consume Montelukast without experiencing problems? Is Montelukast safe in pregnancy? Studies have found that this drug shouldn’t cause a higher risk of birth defects.
Therefore, it should be okay to use this drug during pregnancy. Nevertheless, it is wise to speak to a medical professional. After the pregnancy has been confirmed, a doctor can help the patient determine which medications are safe and which should be avoided.
Some patients may have to take a combination drug that includes Levocetirizine and Montelukast.It is generally safe for these medications to be combined. It is a powerful anti-allergic medication that is primarily used to help patients dealing with allergies. Levocetirizine is an antihistamine so it is going to block the impact of histamine.
Montelukast blocks leukotriene so it can effectively reduce inflammation in the nose. Using these substances together is a good way to deal with allergy problems. Besides being used to treat common allergies, the combination medication is also prescribed to patients with hay fever.
Some patients do not respond well to Montelukast so they may begin searching for a suitable alternative. The good news is that there are plenty of options. For starters, the patient may want to switch to Flovent, Plumicort, Alvesco, Dulera, or Allegra. These medications are safe and they can provide the same benefits. Allegra is an over-the-counter antihistamine that reduces the impact of histamine.
Dulera is a powerful inhaler that is designed to manage the symptoms linked to asthma. Since it is generally safe, this medication can be used by children five years and older.
Some patients have mistakenly mixed their pills. Once this happens, they’re going to have difficulty knowing what they’re taking. Using a pill identifier or looking at pictures can help avoid problems. Otherwise, they may take two pills which can lead to serious interactions and side effects. The appearance depends on the brand being prescribed to the patient. Some are square while others are circular.
Most Montelukast pills are tan or light brown. The square pills will have an I imprinted on one side and 114 on the other side. Some may have an X on one side and 54 on the other side. Again, it is a good idea to look at pictures of this medication before taking an unidentified pill. Alternatively, the patient can speak to a local pharmacist to find out what they’re dealing with.
Once someone has been prescribed Montelukast, they have to use it as instructed to get the desired results. If they miss a dose, there is a good chance that the impact will be diminished. The drug works rapidly to decrease the amount of leukotriene in the body. When someone starts taking this medication, their symptoms may worsen. However, this will change after a few days.
In general, it can take up to a week or so before the patient feels the full impact of Montelukast. Individuals taking this drug to deal with exercise-related asthma should always take it two hours before working out.
Montelukast is primarily used for the treatment of asthma. When used correctly, it can help reduce the symptoms linked to asthma. Once an asthma attack occurs, Montelukast should not be used to treat the problem. Instead, it is only used to prevent asthma symptoms.
Pediatricians must utilize precaution when prescribing Montelukast to children two years of age and older. The side effects for children can be more severe than that of adult patients. Minor side effects include diarrhea, stomachache, headache, heartburn, and tiredness. These side effects have been reported in both children and adult patients.
Parents should monitor their young children care for the following serious side effects:
Children may also become excitable, irritable, agitated, and restless. The prescribing pediatrician should have explained these potential side effects to parents during the initial office visit. If symptoms continue to worsen, a trip to the emergency room may be in order.
The US Food and Drug Administration “FDA” warns against suddenly stopping Montelukast without a backup medication. It is unfortunate when a patient is forced to withdraw from Montelukast for medical reasons.
It is vital to only stop taking the medication under the advice and close supervision of a primary care practitioner. Doing so could put the patient’s life in jeopardy. Withdrawal side effects range from minor to serious to life-threatening.
Patients have reported aggressiveness, agitation, irritability, poor focus, forgetfulness, confusion, anxiety, and hallucination when they stopped taking Montelukast. Other Montelukast withdrawal symptoms include suicidal ideations, sleepwalking, insomnia, and uncontrollable body tremors.
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Montelukast has been approved to help adults and children (is not approved for children under the age of 12 months) manage upper and lower respiratory tract conditions. Studies reveal it is most effective in preventing exercise-induced breathing difficulties, such as bronchospasms. Physicians can legally prescribe Montelukast to children (2 years of age and older) suffering from allergic rhinitis.
