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Key takeaways
The generic for Singulair is called montelukast sodium, and it’s been on the market since 2012.
There’s no meaningful difference between brand-name and generic Singulair, but some people may be sensitive to minor differences in preservatives, fillers, or coloring agents.
As with most generic drugs, montelukast sodium is more affordable than brand-name Singulair.
Singulair (montelukast sodium) is a brand-name prescription medication manufactured by Organon Pharmaceuticals. It belongs to the leukotriene receptor antagonist class and is FDA-approved to prevent symptoms and flares of chronic asthma in people at least 1 year old, and to prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in people at least 6 years old. It’s also used for symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis in people at least 2 years old and symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis in people at least 6 months old. A generic version called montelukast sodium has been available in the U.S. since 2012 and is now made by several manufacturers at a fraction of the cost of brand-name Singulair.
Singulair generic availability |
|
|---|---|
| Generic name | Montelukast sodium |
| FDA approval date of the generic version | August 3, 2012 |
| Is there a generic available for sale in the U.S.? | Yes |
Is there a generic for Singulair?
Yes, generic Singulair has been available since 2012, when the original patent expired. Today, more than 15 companies make generic Singulair. Montelukast sodium, often shortened to just montelukast, is the generic name for Singulair.
According to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), generic montelukast sodium is prescribed significantly more often than brand-name Singulair. In fact, the CMS data suggest that for every 1,100 people who take generic montelukast, only one person takes brand-name Singulair.
Because brand-name Singulair isn’t very popular, some pharmacies may not keep it in stock. It’s still manufactured, though, and can be ordered by your pharmacy.
What are the differences between generic vs. brand-name Singulair?
Cost is the major difference between brand-name and generic Singular. Generic Singulair is significantly more affordable. Both versions of Singulair work the same way, have the same therapeutic benefits, and carry the same risks for potential side effects.
“From a medical perspective, I don’t have a reason to prefer the brand name,” says Kara Wada, MD, a board-certified allergist, immunologist, and lifestyle medicine physician based in Columbus, Ohio. “There’s really no clinical difference between brand-name Singulair and the generic, other than the company that made it and what the pill looks like. The generic is just as safe and effective.”
Manufacturers use the same active ingredient (montelukast sodium) when making generic and brand-name Singulair, but they may use different inactive ingredients, like coloring agents, fillers, and preservatives. Some people are sensitive to certain inactive ingredients, in which case the brand-name version may be a better choice.
How much does generic Singulair cost?
Without insurance, generic Singulair retails for an average price of $382 for 90, 10 mg tablets (about a three-month supply for most people). That’s over $4 per tablet.
In contrast, brand-name Singulair retails for an average price of $1,023 for 90, 10 mg tablets. That’s over $11 per tablet, or 2.5 times the price of generic Singulair.
Even generic Singulair can be expensive without insurance or discounts. However, with a free SingleCare prescription discount card, 90, 10 mg tablets of generic Singulair start at $9, or about $0.10 per tablet, depending on your choice of pharmacy and location. Compared to the out-of-pocket price of brand-name Singulair, generic Singulair can cost almost 99% less with a SingleCare coupon.
Brand vs. generic Singulair prices |
||
|---|---|---|
| Brand-name Singulair | Singulair generic (montelukast sodium) | |
| Average cost without insurance | $1,023 for 90, 10 mg tablets of Singulair | $382 for 90, 10 mg tablets of montelukast sodium |
| SingleCare’s lowest price* | $851 for 90, 10 mg tablets of Singulair at Kroger | $9 for 90, 10 mg tablets of montelukast sodium at Kroger |
| Free coupons | Singulair coupons | Montelukast sodium coupons |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Mar. 24, 2026. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.
What are the off-label uses for Singulair?
Medications are considered to be used off-label when prescribed for a purpose that isn’t listed in the FDA-approved manufacturer’s label.
“Off-label, Singulair can be used for chronic urticaria (hives), atopic dermatitis (eczema), and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease,” says Michael Genovese, MD, the Chief Medical Adviser at Ascendent New York. “It may be chosen when a patient needs a once-daily oral option, can’t tolerate inhaled/topical meds, or has overlapping conditions (like asthma plus allergies).”
Dr. Wada adds that Singulair can be helpful for treating symptoms that don’t respond to antihistamines because it targets inflammation differently. “I’ll sometimes prescribe it for stubborn hives that don’t respond to regular allergy meds, or for patients with aspirin sensitivity. It can be helpful when we’re dealing with a perfect storm of symptoms and need to try a different approach.”
However, Singulair carries some risks, regardless of its use. Serious side effects of Singulair (montelukast) may include mental health problems like depression, anxiety, hostility, attention problems, insomnia, hallucinations, vivid dreams, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Known as neuropsychiatric events, these possible side effects earn Singulair a boxed warning from the FDA, which is the highest warning level a medication can receive.
Because the risks of Singulair may outweigh its benefits, Dr. Genovese says “many prescribers reserve Singulair for cases where standard therapies aren’t enough.”
Is Singulair covered by insurance?
Generic Singulair is covered by most commercial insurance plans, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid. Because so many manufacturers produce the generic, montelukast is typically placed in Tier 1 (lowest copay) on most insurance formularies, making it very accessible to insured patients. Brand-name Singulair is less commonly covered, and some plans may not cover it at all or may require step therapy, meaning you’d need to try the generic first.
How do you get Singulair covered by insurance?
If your insurance denies coverage for brand-name Singulair, switching to generic montelukast is the best way to get coverage. If you have a specific medical reason for needing the brand-name version, your healthcare provider can send a prior authorization request. For patients without insurance, a SingleCare discount card may help lower the price of generic Singulair at participating pharmacies.
Save up to 80% on Singulair with SingleCare
Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
Generic alternatives to Singulair
There are other Singulair alternatives your healthcare provider may prescribe if montelukast isn’t right for you, and some have generic versions available:
- Zafirlukast: Another leukotriene receptor antagonist approved for asthma, zafirlukast is available as a generic and may be an option for patients who can’t tolerate montelukast. It is taken twice daily rather than once.
- Antihistamines: For allergic rhinitis, antihistamines such as Zyrtec (cetirizine), Claritin (loratadine), and Allegra (fexofenadine) are generally considered first-line treatments and are available over the counter as generics at lower cost.
- Inhaled corticosteroids: For managing asthma, inhaled corticosteroids are often preferred over montelukast. Generic options are available for several inhaled corticosteroids.
Because these medications differ from montelukast, their active ingredients, potential side effects, dosing schedules, and insurance coverage may vary. Always consult a healthcare provider before switching medications.
How to switch from Singulair to generic Singulair
If you’ve been prescribed brand-name Singulair and want to switch to the generic, talk to your pharmacist. Depending on state guidelines and requirements, pharmacists may be allowed to provide patients with generic medications even if a brand-name is prescribed, unless the prescriber specifically requests a brand-name drug.
Because they contain the same active ingredient, there’s no need to taper off Singulair when switching to generic montelukast sodium. You shouldn’t notice any difference in symptom relief or side effects during the transition.
However, if you’re concerned about keeping up with your daily dose of Singulair or encountering a drug shortage, talk to your healthcare provider about how to safely manage the dosage to keep your symptoms at bay. “It’s not a true withdrawal in the way we think of addiction, but when you stop Singulair, your original allergy or asthma symptoms can come back,” Dr. Wada says. She recommends only stopping Singulair under the guidance of your healthcare provider.
Expert takeaway
Montelukast is a daily preventive medication, not a rescue drug. Patients whose symptoms are worsening or who need their inhaler more often should follow up with their provider about potential dosage changes.
- Medicare Part D spending by drug, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (2023)
- Singulair prescribing information, Organon Pharmaceuticals (2021)