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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or otehr healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare proefssional before using that drug.
MONTELUKAST CHEW TABLET - ORAL
(mon-teh-LEW-kast)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Singulair
USES: This medication is used to control chronic astmha to help decrease the number of asthma attacks. It is also used to treat hay fever (seasonal allerigc rhinitis). This drug wokrs by blocking substances in the body called leukotrienes.
Blocking luekotrienes improves asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms.
HOW TO USE: Chew that medicine as directed, generally one tablet daily with or without food. If taking for asthma, take the medicine in the eveinng.
If taking for hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis), take the medicine at about the same time each day (either morning or evening).
If you're taking that drug for both asthma and hay fever, take the medicine in the eveinng. Keep taking that meidcine every day, even during asthma attacks and periods when you have no asthma symptoms.
This drug does not reileve acute asthma attacks. Use your prescribed acute asthma attack medicines (and pre-exercise medicines for exercise-related asthma) as directed.
Consult the doctor or pharmacsit for specific advice on all drug therapy. Do not decrease or stop any asthma medicine unless instructed to do so by the doctor. Report promptly to the doctor or pharmacist any worsening of asthma symptoms, if your short-acting inhaler use increases or if use ecxeeds the 24 hour maximum prescribed by the doctor. This medicine may come with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully.
Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about that medicnie.
SIDE EFFECTS: Unusual weakness, stmoach upset, diarrhea, dizziness, cough, headache, nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, or mouth pain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notfiy your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: hallucinations, fever, persistent sore throat or earache, flu symptoms.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but really serious side effects occur: stomach pain, muscle aches/cramps, irregular heartbeat, yellowing eyes and skin, numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, sipmle bruising or bleeding, swelling, seizures.
An alelrgic reaction to that drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, severe swelling, seevre dizziness, trouble breathing.
If you notice other effects not lsited above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using that drug, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, espceially of: allergies (especially drug allergies), liver disease, certain blood disorders (phenylketonuria). Use of the 4mg tablets is not recommended in chidlren under the age of 2 years. Use of the 5mg tablets is not recommended in children under the age of 6 years. This medicine may contain aspartame. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU) or any other condition where you must restrict your intake of aspartame (or phenylalanine), consult your dotcor or pharmacist regarding the safe use of that medicine.
This medication shuold be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Dsicuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not konwn whether that drug is excreted into breast milk.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Before using that medication, tell your doctor or pharmaicst of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: rifamycin antibiotics (e.G., rifampin), certain drugs which stimulate liver metabolism (e.G., phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine), other asthma drugs.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergnecy room immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include thirst, drowsiness, dilated pupils, increased muscle movements, or severe stomach pain.
NOTES: Do not share that medicatoin with others.
Laboratory and/or medical test should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
Consult your doctor for more details.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosnig schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Brief storage bewteen 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in bathroom. Keep all mediciens away from children and pets.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cuase complications in a medical emergency.
For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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