{"id":633620,"date":"2025-09-19T12:59:23","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T16:59:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=633620"},"modified":"2026-04-03T19:41:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T23:41:13","slug":"singulair-generic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/singulair-generic\/","title":{"rendered":"Singulair generic: Availability, cost, and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

Singulair<\/span><\/a> (montelukast sodium) is a brand-name prescription medication manufactured by Organon Pharmaceuticals. It belongs to the <\/span>leukotriene receptor antagonist<\/span><\/a> class and is FDA-approved to prevent symptoms and flares of <\/span>chronic asthma<\/span><\/a> in people at least 1 year old, and to prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in people at least 6 years old. It\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Singulair generic availability<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Generic name<\/b><\/td>\nMontelukast sodium\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FDA approval date of the generic version<\/b><\/td>\nAugust 3, 2012<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Is there a generic available for sale in the U.S.?<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Is there a generic for Singulair?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Yes, generic Singulair has been available since 2012, when the original patent expired. Today, more than 15 companies make generic Singulair. <\/span>Montelukast sodium<\/span><\/a>, often shortened to just montelukast, is the generic name for Singulair.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to data from the <\/span>Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services<\/span><\/a> (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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because brand-name Singulair isn\u2019t very popular, some pharmacies may not keep it in stock. It\u2019s still manufactured, though, and can be ordered by your pharmacy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the differences between generic vs. brand-name Singulair?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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 <\/span>same therapeutic benefits<\/span><\/a>, and carry the same risks for potential side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom a medical perspective, I don’t have a reason to prefer the brand name,\u201d says <\/span>Kara Wada<\/span><\/a>, MD, a board-certified allergist, immunologist, and lifestyle medicine physician based in Columbus, Ohio. \u201cThere’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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

How much does generic Singulair cost?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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\u2019s over $4 per tablet.<\/span><\/p>\n

In contrast, brand-name Singulair retails for an average price of $1,023 for 90, 10 mg tablets. That\u2019s over $11 per tablet, or 2.5 times the price of generic Singulair.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even generic Singulair can be expensive without insurance or discounts. However, with a free <\/span>SingleCare prescription discount card<\/span><\/a>, 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Brand vs. generic Singulair prices<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nBrand-name Singulair<\/b><\/td>\nSingulair generic (montelukast sodium)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average cost without insurance<\/b><\/td>\n$1,023 for 90, 10 mg tablets of Singulair<\/span><\/td>\n$382 for 90, 10 mg tablets of montelukast sodium<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare\u2019s lowest price*<\/b><\/td>\n$851 for 90, 10 mg tablets of Singulair at Kroger<\/span><\/td>\n$9 for 90, 10 mg tablets of montelukast sodium at Kroger<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free coupons<\/b><\/td>\nSingulair coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nMontelukast sodium coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/small><\/p>\n

What are the off-label uses for Singulair?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Medications are considered to be used <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> when prescribed for a purpose that isn\u2019t listed in the FDA-approved manufacturer\u2019s label.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOff-label, Singulair can be used for chronic urticaria (<\/span>hives<\/span><\/a>), atopic dermatitis (eczema), and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease,\u201d says Michael Genovese, MD, the Chief Medical Adviser at <\/span>Ascendent New York<\/span><\/a>. \u201cIt 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).\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Wada adds that Singulair can be helpful for treating symptoms that don\u2019t respond to antihistamines because it targets inflammation differently. \u201cI\u2019ll sometimes prescribe it for stubborn hives that don\u2019t respond to <\/span>regular allergy meds<\/span><\/a>, or for patients with aspirin sensitivity. It can be helpful when we\u2019re dealing with a perfect storm of symptoms and need to try a different approach.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Singulair carries some risks, regardless of its use. Serious <\/span>side effects of Singulair<\/span><\/a> (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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because the risks of Singulair may outweigh its benefits, Dr. Genovese says \u201cmany prescribers reserve Singulair for cases where standard therapies aren’t enough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Singulair covered by insurance?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do you get Singulair covered by insurance?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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 <\/span>without insurance<\/span><\/a>, a SingleCare discount card may help lower the price of generic Singulair at participating pharmacies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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Save up to 80% on Singulair with SingleCare<\/p>\n\t\t\t

Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tSingulair 10 mg (90 Tablets)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$9.44\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Harris\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$9.44\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Singulair prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n

Generic alternatives to Singulair<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are other <\/span>Singulair alternatives<\/span><\/a> your healthcare provider may prescribe if montelukast isn’t right for you, and some have generic versions available:<\/span><\/p>\n