{"id":49528,"date":"2022-03-07T09:30:01","date_gmt":"2022-03-07T14:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=49528"},"modified":"2024-08-01T18:52:51","modified_gmt":"2024-08-01T22:52:51","slug":"singulair-for-allergies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/singulair-for-allergies\/","title":{"rendered":"Should you use Singulair for allergies?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Singulair uses<\/a> | Singulair for allergies<\/a> | Efficacy<\/a> | Dosage<\/a> | Side effects<\/a> | Cost<\/a> | Alternatives<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Not everyone with allergies finds relief with a daily dose of an antihistamine or nasal spray. If this sounds familiar, it\u2019s possible that those medications did not work because they target histamine pathways while your allergies are due to leukotrienes, another type of common allergic reaction that causes inflammation in the respiratory system.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can experience both types of allergic response, histamine and leukotriene, but you\u2019ll need two different types of medications if you want to relieve the symptoms of both. That\u2019s where <\/span>Singulair (montelukast)<\/span><\/a> comes in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Singulair<\/span><\/a> can be an effective medication for treating allergies in many people, but it isn\u2019t right for everyone. Here\u2019s what you need to know about how it works, who it works best for, and what else you can take along with it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Singulair used for?<\/h2>\n

Singulair is a prescription drug that belongs to a class called <\/span>leukotriene receptor antagonists<\/span><\/a>. According to University of Missouri Health Care allergist and otolaryngologist <\/span>Christine Franzese<\/span><\/a>, MD, it\u2019s approved for the treatment of asthma symptoms, including exercise-induced asthma, and common allergies like mold, pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. It is not a rescue medication and should not be used in an attempt to relieve acute bronchospasm or asthma attacks.<\/span><\/p>\n

How does Singulair work for allergies?<\/h2>\n

When your body is exposed to an allergen, it releases chemicals that initiate an allergic response. These chemicals are often histamines, but they can be leukotrienes, too. The release of these chemicals causes inflammation in the respiratory system and is responsible for all the itching, sneezing, wheezing, and coughing that happens if you come into contact with something you\u2019re allergic to.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Singulair targets the pathways that leukotrienes travel along, which stops the chemical from creating an allergic response. If you haven\u2019t found symptom relief with <\/span>antihistamines<\/span><\/a>\u2014or if they help <\/span>some <\/span><\/i>of your symptoms, but not all\u2014your provider may prescribe Singulair to be taken alone or in combination with other drugs like <\/span>oral antihistamines and intranasal steroids<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is not a one-size-fits-all treatment plan, so some people may benefit from only Singulair, but some may need other medications to feel better,\u201d <\/span>Kathleen Dass<\/span><\/a>, MD, an allergist and immunologist privately practicing in Michigan. \u201cIt can especially be helpful with pet allergies, stuffy noses, or children who may not be able to tolerate a nose spray.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

How effective is Singulair for allergies?<\/h2>\n

Singulair has been prescribed for many years as treatment for allergies and asthma, so it has a long track record of safety and efficacy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One <\/span>2011 review of studies<\/span><\/a> found that montelukast has positive outcomes in the treatment of adult asthma, particularly exercise-induced asthma and asthma associated with allergic rhinitis (aka hay fever), smoking, obesity, and viral illnesses. Meanwhile, a <\/span>2014 study<\/span><\/a> suggests that montelukast is beneficial when used alone or in conjunction with other therapies for the treatment of mild to moderate childhood asthma.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, it\u2019s important to know under what circumstances Singulair tends to be the most effective. \u201cIt seems to work pretty well as an add-on therapy for more moderate and severe asthma, or if you have allergies <\/span>and <\/span><\/i>asthma,\u201d explains Dr. Franzese. \u201cIf you have just allergies but no asthma, it\u2019s not as effective as other medications like nasal steroids and antihistamine pills.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In other words, if you\u2019re trying to exclusively treat allergies, Singulair isn\u2019t commonly prescribed on its own. However, if you are treating both allergies and asthma or need an additional medication to manage your asthma (along with an inhaler), Singulair can be an effective standalone drug or one used in combination with other therapies. \u201cFor my patients who take Singulair, the majority find it to be very helpful,\u201d says Dr. Dass.<\/span><\/p>\n

It also reduces some of the stigma surrounding asthma, especially in young children, adds Dr. Franzese; in addition to working well for asthma, Singulair makes it easier for some people to treat their asthma since they can take a pill at home instead of carrying an inhaler with them to use at school or work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Singulair dosage for allergies<\/h2>\n

Singulair is available in pill form, chewable tablets, and oral granules. In general, adults are prescribed <\/span>10 milligrams per day, regardless of why Singulair is being used<\/span><\/a>. That is, the dosages for asthma maintenance, allergies, and exercise-induced asthma\u2014in adults\u2014are all the same.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Singulair is <\/span>approved<\/span> for adults and children:<\/span><\/p>\n