{"id":51667,"date":"2022-06-14T10:21:50","date_gmt":"2022-06-14T14:21:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=51667"},"modified":"2026-03-23T10:37:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T14:37:55","slug":"montelukast-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/montelukast-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Montelukast alternatives: What can I take instead of montelukast?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Compare montelukast alternatives<\/a> | Leukotriene modifiers<\/a> | Inhaled corticosteroids<\/a> | Mast cell stabilizers<\/a> | Long-acting beta-agonists<\/a> | Antihistamines<\/a> | Natural alternatives<\/a> | How to switch meds<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Montelukast<\/span> is a <\/span>leukotriene receptor antagonist<\/span>, which works by blocking the action of inflammatory chemicals called <\/span>leukotrienes<\/span>. A <\/span>healthcare<\/span> provider may prescribe <\/span>montelukast<\/span> to treat <\/span>asthma<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>allergies<\/span><\/a>. During exposure to an asthma or allergy trigger, <\/span>leukotrienes<\/span> increase the production of mucus, the formation of <\/span>eosinophils<\/span>, and the tightening of the airways. Blocking the effects of <\/span>leukotrienes<\/span> can help improve symptoms of asthma and <\/span>seasonal allergies<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The <\/span>brand name<\/span> of <\/span>montelukast<\/span> is <\/span>Singulair<\/span>, which is manufactured by <\/span>Merck<\/span>. It is available as oral <\/span>granules<\/span>, <\/span>chewable tablets<\/span>, and regular tablets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While <\/span>montelukast<\/span><\/a> is an effective <\/span>prescription drug<\/span>, it may not be right for everyone. For some people, <\/span>montelukast<\/span> may not be as effective as other medications. For others, <\/span>montelukast<\/span> can cause <\/span>intolerable <\/span>side effects<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>Montelukast<\/span> also carries a <\/span>boxed warning<\/span> that states some people may experience <\/span>neuropsychiatric events<\/span>, such as depression, sleeping problems, and <\/span>suicidal thoughts<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other FDA-approved<\/span>\u00a0asthma and <\/span>allergy medications<\/span> are available. Continue reading to learn about <\/span>montelukast<\/span> alternatives and how they work against asthma or allergies.<\/span><\/p>\n

What can I take in place of <\/span>montelukast<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Several options can be used to treat asthma and allergies. Other <\/span>allergy medicines<\/span> are often recommended to be used before trying <\/span>montelukast<\/span>. <\/span>Montelukast<\/span> alternatives include <\/span>inhaled corticosteroids<\/span> (ICS), mast cell stabilizers, long-acting beta-agonists, <\/span>antihistamines<\/span>, and biologic medications. These options may be preferred over <\/span>montelukast<\/span> because of their <\/span>side-effect<\/span> profiles and other uses. <\/span>
\n<\/span>It\u2019s important to note that <\/span>montelukast<\/span> and its alternatives are meant to be used for long-term control of <\/span>asthma symptoms<\/span>. They should not be used for <\/span>asthma attacks<\/span> or an acute <\/span>worsening<\/span> of <\/span>asthma symptoms<\/span>. A <\/span>healthcare<\/span> provider will prescribe a <\/span>short-acting beta-agonist (SABA)<\/span><\/a>, such as albuterol, for <\/span>asthma attacks<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare montelukast alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nUses<\/b><\/td>\nDosage\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nSavings options<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Singulair
\n(montelukast)<\/td>\n		Prevention and treatment of asthma in people aged 12 months and older<\/p>\n

Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm in people aged 6 years and older<\/p>\n

Treatment of allergic rhinitis: Treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis in people aged 2 years and older and treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis in people aged 6 months and older<\/td>\n

10 mg once daily in the evening<\/p>\n

Exact dosage will vary depending on age and condition being treated<\/td>\n

Singulair coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Accolate
\n(zafirlukast)<\/td>\n		Prevention and treatment of asthma in people aged 5 years and older<\/td>\n20 mg twice daily in people aged 12 years and older<\/p>\n

10 mg twice daily in people aged 5 to 11 years<\/td>\n

Accolate coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zyflo
\n(zileuton)<\/td>\n		Prevention and treatment of asthma in people aged 12 years and older<\/td>\n600 mg four times daily<\/td>\nZyflo coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Qvar
\n(beclomethasone)<\/td>\n		Prevention and treatment of asthma in people aged 4 years and older<\/td>\n40 mcg, 80 mcg, 160 mcg, or 320 mcg twice daily<\/td>\nQvar coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Symbicort (budesonide\/formoterol)<\/td>\nPrevention and treatment of asthma in people aged 6 years and older<\/p>\n

Treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)<\/td>\n

2 inhalations of Symbicort 80\/4.5 or 160\/4.5 twice daily in people aged 12 years and older<\/p>\n

2 inhalations of Symbicort 80\/4.5 twice daily in people aged 6 to 11 years<\/p>\n

Exact dosage will vary depending on age and condition being treated<\/td>\n

Symbicort coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Advair (fluticasone\/salmeterol)<\/td>\nPrevention and treatment of asthma in people aged 4 years and older<\/p>\n

Treatment of COPD<\/td>\n

1 inhalation of Advair Diskus 100\/50, Advair Diskus 250\/50, or Advair Diskus 500\/50 twice daily for asthma in people aged 12 years and older<\/p>\n

1 inhalation of Advair Diskus 100\/50 twice daily for asthma in people aged 4 to 11 years<\/p>\n

Exact dosage will vary depending on age and condition being treated<\/td>\n

Advair Diskus coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nasalcrom (cromolyn sodium)<\/td>\nPrevention and treatment of asthma in people aged 2 years and older<\/p>\n

Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm<\/p>\n

In people aged 2 years and older<\/p>\n

Prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis in people aged 2 years and older<\/p>\n

Treatment of allergic eye disorders in people aged 2 years and older<\/td>\n

20 mg inhalation via nebulizer four times per day<\/p>\n

Exact dosage will vary depending on age and condition being treated<\/td>\n

Nasalcrom coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Claritin
\n(loratadine)<\/td>\n		Prevention and treatment of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis in people aged 2 years and older<\/p>\n

Treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria (itching) in people aged 2 years and older<\/td>\n

10 mg once daily in people aged 6 years and older<\/p>\n

Exact dosage will vary depending on age and condition being treated<\/td>\n

Claritin coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zyrtec
\n(cetirizine)<\/td>\n		Prevention and treatment of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis in people aged 2 years and older<\/p>\n

Treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria (itching) in people aged 2 years and older<\/td>\n

5 or 10 mg once daily in people aged 12 years and older<\/p>\n

Exact dosage will vary depending on age and condition being treated<\/td>\n

Zyrtec coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other alternatives to <\/span>montelukast<\/span><\/h3>\n