From the Guidelines
Montelukast is not available as an inhaler; it is an oral medication typically taken as a tablet, chewable tablet, or oral granules. The standard dose for adults and adolescents is not specified in the provided evidence, however, according to general medical knowledge, the dose is 10 mg once daily in the evening for adults and adolescents 15 years and older. Children's doses also vary by age:
- Children 6-14 years old should take 5 mg once daily in the evening,
- while children 2-5 years old take 4 mg once daily in the evening using chewable tablets or oral granules. For children 12-23 months, the dose is 4 mg of oral granules once daily in the evening 1. Montelukast should be taken consistently at the same time each day, preferably in the evening, and can be taken with or without food. It works by blocking leukotrienes, substances in the body that cause airway constriction, inflammation, and mucus production in asthma, as mentioned in the context of leukotriene receptor antagonists in the study 1. Unlike rescue inhalers, montelukast is a controller medication meant for daily use to prevent symptoms, not for treating acute asthma attacks. Patients should continue taking it even when feeling well and should not abruptly stop without consulting their healthcare provider. Key points to consider when taking montelukast include:
- It is not an inhaler, but rather an oral medication
- The dosage varies by age
- It should be taken consistently at the same time each day
- It is a controller medication, not for acute asthma attacks
- Patients should not stop taking it without consulting their healthcare provider, as stated in general medical practice and supported by the study on medical therapy for asthma 1.
From the Research
Dosage of Montelukast
- The recommended dose of montelukast is 10mg orally, as confirmed by several clinical studies 2, 3, 4, 5.
Administration of Montelukast
- Montelukast should be taken once daily, as it is a selective and orally-active leukotriene-receptor antagonist 3, 4, 5.
- There is no evidence to suggest that montelukast is available as an inhaler, as all studies mention it as an oral medication 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.