From the Guidelines
For a 15-month-old child, the recommended dose of montelukast is 4 mg once daily, usually given in the evening, as oral granules. This medication is used to treat asthma and allergic rhinitis by blocking leukotrienes, which are substances in the body that cause inflammation in the airways 1. It's essential to administer the medication consistently at the same time each day for best results. According to the guidelines, montelukast can be considered for reducing impairment and risk of exacerbations in infants and young children who had 4 or more episodes of wheezing in the past year that lasted more than 1 day and affected sleep, and who have a positive asthma predictive index 1. The decision to start long-term daily therapy should be based on consideration of issues regarding diagnosis and prognosis, and the medication should be titrated to as low a dose as needed to maintain control 1.
Some key points to consider when prescribing montelukast for a 15-month-old child include:
- The child's specific medical history, symptoms, and weight should be taken into account to determine if this medication is appropriate and at what exact dose 1.
- Montelukast comes as oral granules for this age group, not tablets 1.
- Side effects are generally mild but can include upper respiratory infection, fever, or behavioral changes 1.
- It's crucial to monitor response to therapy closely, as treatment of young children is often in the form of a therapeutic trial, and alternative therapies or alternative diagnoses should be considered if a clear and beneficial response is not obvious within 4 to 6 weeks 1.
Always consult with a pediatrician before starting montelukast for a 15-month-old child, as they will consider the child's individual needs and make an informed decision about the best course of treatment 1.
From the Research
Montelukast Dosage for Children
- The dosage of montelukast for children varies based on age 2, 3.
- For children aged 6 to 14 years, a 5 mg chewable tablet dose of montelukast is recommended, as it yields a single-dose area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) comparable to that achieved with the adult 10 mg film-coated tablet dose 2.
- For children aged 2 to 5 years, a 4 mg chewable tablet dose of montelukast is recommended, as it has been found to be safe and effective in this age group 3.
- There is no specific information available on the dosage of montelukast for children aged 15 months.
Efficacy and Safety of Montelukast in Children
- Montelukast has been shown to be effective in improving asthma control in children aged 2 to 14 years, with significant improvements in symptoms, lung function, and quality of life 4, 5.
- Montelukast is generally well tolerated in children, with a safety profile similar to that of adults 4, 5.
- The clinical benefit of montelukast is evident within 1 day of starting therapy, and improvements in asthma control are consistent across age, sex, and race 5.