From the Guidelines
Singulair (montelukast) and Claritin (loratadine) can be safely taken together to treat allergy symptoms, with their combined use potentially providing better symptom relief than either medication alone, especially for patients with both asthma and allergies. According to the most recent and highest quality study available 1, the combination of a leukotriene receptor antagonist (such as montelukast) and an antihistamine (such as loratadine) may have an additive effect in treating allergic rhinitis.
Key Points to Consider
- The typical adult dose for Singulair is 10mg once daily in the evening, and for Claritin, it's 10mg once daily.
- Children's dosing varies by age and weight, and montelukast is approved for perennial allergic rhinitis in children as young as 6 months and for seasonal allergic rhinitis in children as young as 2 years 1.
- Singulair typically takes a few days to reach full effectiveness, while Claritin works within hours.
- Side effects are generally mild but can include headache and drowsiness (more common with Claritin) and mood changes (rarely with Singulair).
- The combination of montelukast and a second-generation antihistamine may show added benefit for allergic rhinitis and provide better protection against seasonal decrease in lung function 1.
Clinical Considerations
- Always consult with a healthcare provider before combining medications to ensure they're appropriate for your specific health conditions.
- Recognizing that as many as 40% of patients with allergic rhinitis have coexisting asthma, montelukast may be considered when treatment can benefit the combined upper and lower airway 1.
- The use of LTRA for combined upper and lower airway allergic diseases as either a monotherapy or combined therapy is particularly attractive when treating a child whose parents are steroid-phobic 1.
From the Research
Singulair and Claritin
- Singulair, also known as montelukast, is a medication used to treat asthma and allergic rhinitis 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Claritin, also known as loratadine, is an antihistamine used to treat allergic rhinitis 5, 6
Efficacy of Montelukast
- Montelukast has been shown to be effective in treating allergic rhinitis, with significant improvements in symptoms such as nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, and sneezing 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Montelukast has also been shown to be effective in treating asthma, with significant improvements in symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath 2, 4
Combination Therapy
- The combination of montelukast and loratadine has been shown to be more effective than either medication alone in treating allergic rhinitis 5, 6
- The combination of montelukast and an oral antihistamine has been shown to be superior to either montelukast or an oral antihistamine alone in improving symptoms of allergic rhinitis 6