SINGULAIR ® - Montelukast

SINGULAIR ® is a drug based on Montelukast sodium

THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Antagonists of leukotriene receptors

IndicationsAction mechanismStudies and clinical effectiveness Usage and dosage instructionsWarnings Pregnancy and lactationInteractionsContraindicationsUndesirable effects

Directions SINGULAIR ® - Montelukast

SINGULAIR ® is indicated for the treatment of asthma that is not responsive to inhalation therapy with corticosteroids or beta 2 adrenergic agonists.

SINGULAIR ® is also used successfully in the symptomatic treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis and in the prophylaxis of asthma characterized by bronchoconstriction from exercise.

SINGULAIR ® action mechanism - Montelukast

SINGULAIR ® is a medicinal product based on Montelukast, inhibitor of leukotriene receptors, successfully used in the treatment of asthma.

The mechanism of action of this active principle, now well characterized also from the molecular point of view, is essentially realized in the ability to inhibit the activation of leukotriene receptors, and in particular of the type 1 receptor, constitutionally expressed by the smooth muscle cells of the airways and other elements of inflammation.

The increased release of series 4 leukotrienes, during asthmatic pathology, generally induces an increased activation of this receptor with consequent bronchoconstriction, vasodilation and associated edema, mucus hypersecretion, activation of the elements of inflammation and respiratory tract congestion.

Montelukast, taken orally, absorbed systemically and distributed in a circle bound to plasma proteins, reaches the respiratory tract antagonizing the effects of leukotrienes and causing a significant reduction in the complained symptomatology.

After its action, Montelukast is generally eliminated via the bile after intense hepatic metabolism.

Studies carried out and clinical efficacy

THE MONTELUKAST IN THE PREVENTION OF THE POST-BRONCHOLETIC DISPNEA

Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2013 Oct 7. doi: 10.1111 / pai.12124. [Epub ahead of print]

Study demonstrating that treatment with Montelukast may reduce the frequency of dyspnea in patients with post-bronchiolitis, especially following infection with respiratory syncytial virus, with the appearance of side effects exclusively in 1.5% of patients treated.

BUDESONIDE AND MONTELUKAST IN COMPARISON

J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2013 Jan; 1 (1): 58-64. doi: 10.1016 / j.jaip.2012.08.005. Epub 2012 Nov 8.

A study conducted on over 200 children aged between 2 and 4 years that demonstrates how treatment with Montelukast can be as effective as that with Budesonide in the initial control of the disease, although in long-term management Budesonide seems to guarantee better control.

INHIBITORS OF LEUCOTRIENIC RECEPTORS IN ALLERGIC JOINTS

J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2013 Jan; 1 (1): 65-74. doi: 10.1016 / j.jaip.2012.07.001. Epub 2012 Nov 2.

Study demonstrating that Montelukast can be successfully used also in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis, but is less effective than oral antihistamine.

These evidences suggest the possibility of considering an integrated approach.

Method of use and dosage

SINGULAIR ®

Montelukast 10 mg coated tablets.

SINGULAIR ® therapy must necessarily be defined by a specialist doctor in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases, considering the possibility of associating it all with supportive therapy.

Generally and non-specifically, the dosage most commonly used in the treatment of asthmatic or allergic rhinitis in adult patients is generally that of a 10 mg tablet per day, preferably taken in the evening.

Warnings SINGULAIR ® - Montelukast

Treatment with SINGULAIR ® must necessarily be periodically supervised by the doctor, especially due to the increased risk, documented by some clinical evidence, of hypereosinophilia with symptoms similar to those of Churg-Strauss vasculitis.

It is also important to reiterate that treatment with Montelukast is not a treatment suitable for acute asthmatic attack, for which the doctor should instead define a suitable supportive therapy, a basic therapy to maintain, always according to medical prescription, even in stages of disease remission.

SINGULAIR ® has lactose among its excipients, therefore it is not indicated for patients with galactose intolerance, lactase enzyme deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome.

PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING

Although there is currently no scientific evidence to associate Montelukast with an increased risk of fetal malformations, the use of SINGULAIR ® during pregnancy and in the subsequent breastfeeding period should be limited to cases of real and inevitable necessity and be carried out exclusively under medical supervision.

Interactions

Given the hepatic metabolism of Montelukast, such as to involve cytochromial enzymes, it would be advisable to avoid the simultaneous intake of active ingredients potentially equipped with inducing or inhibiting activity on these systems, capable of altering the normal pharmacokinetic properties of the active ingredient.

Contraindications SINGULAIR ® - Montelukast

The use of SINGULAIR ® is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or to one of its excipients or to structurally and chemically related molecules.

Undesirable effects - Side effects

SINGULAIR ® therapy may expose the patient to an increased risk of side effects such as headache, upper respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, hypertransaminasemia and skin rashes.

The incidence of clinically more serious adverse reactions was more rare.