Actolukast (Montelukast)

Dosage form: 

Chewable tablet 5 mg, Film coated tablet 10 mg

What is Actolukast (montelukast) used for?

• It is used to ease allergy signs.
• It is used to prevent breathing problems that happen with exercise.
• It is used to treat or prevent asthma.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

This drug is not to be used to treat intense flare-ups of shortness of breath. Use a rescue inhaler. Talk with the doctor.

Important notes before taking Actolukast (montelukast):

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have an allergy to montelukast or any other part of this drug.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Important notes while taking Actolukast (montelukast):

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), talk with your doctor. Some products have phenylalanine.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.
• Call your doctor right away if your breathing problems get worse, if your rescue inhaler does not work as well, or if you need to use your rescue inhaler more often.
• If you take this drug for asthma or allergy, do not take another dose to prevent breathing problems that happen with exercise.
• If you have asthma and taking aspirin makes it worse, keep avoiding aspirin and NSAIDs while you take this drug.
• If you are switching to this drug from a steroid, do not stop taking the steroid all of a sudden. The dose of the steroid may need to be slowly lowered to avoid side effects. Talk with the doctor.

Actolukast (montelukast) side effects:

Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat;
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes;
• Signs of a pancreas problem (pancreatitis) like very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up;
• Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life;
• Signs of a very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in the mouth, throat, nose, or eyes;
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there);
• Memory problems or loss;
• Feeling confused, not able to focus, or change in behavior;
• Strange or odd dreams, trouble sleeping; 
• Trouble speaking;
• Restlessness;
• Sleepwalking;
• Shakiness;
• Trouble controlling body movements;
• Seizures;
• Trouble breathing that is new or worse;
• Fever;
• Flu-like signs;
• Sinus pain;
• Chest pain;
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal;
• Any unexplained bruising or bleeding;
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal;
• Ear pain;
• Muscle or joint pain;
• Swelling;
• Bedwetting in children.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache;
• Stomach pain or diarrhea;
• Signs of a common cold;
• Cough.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.

Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Do not use this drug after expiry date. Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs.