INTRODUCTION

MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET contains Montelukast which belongs to the group of medicines called Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists. It is used to treat and prevent the signs and symptoms of asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis in children (aged between 2-5 years). It can also be used to prevent bronchospasm (narrowing of airways) triggered due to exercise.

Asthma is a long-term respiratory disease in which the airways become inflamed, swollen and narrowed. It also causes excessive mucous secretion in the airways which makes it difficult for the air to pass through, leading to unpleasant symptoms like wheezing, difficulty in breathing, chest pain and/or cough.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis (also known as hay fever) is an allergic condition triggered due to exposure of oneself towards various allergens (such as pollens, dusts, mould or flakes of skin from certain animals). It is often characterized by inflammation of the inner lining of nose accompanied by nasal congestion, repeated sneezing and/or a red, watery or itchy eye.

MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET can only help in preventing an asthma attack. It will not stop an asthma attack that has been started already. Therefore, always carry an inhaled rescue medicine with you for your child or advice your child to carry an inhaled rescue medicine with themselves as a precaution.

Make sure that your child takes MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET regularly for the duration prescribed by your doctor. Before administering MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET to your child, inform your doctor about your child’s health condition, pre-existing disease states and allergic status as a precaution.

The most common side effects of administering MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET in children are stomach pain, headache, upper respiratory tract infections, skin rash, nausea and vomiting. Consult your doctor if any of these side effect troubles your child.

USES OF MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET

It is used in children (aged between 2-5 years) to treat and prevent the symptoms of:

• Chronic asthma
• Seasonal allergic rhinitis (runny nose, sneezing, itching of the eyes and/or nose)
• Exercise induced bronchospasm (narrowing of airways)

HOW MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET WORKS

MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET effectively controls the symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis, where montelukast acts by blocking the release of certain chemicals (leukotrienes) in the respiratory tract that triggers the allergic and inflammatory response. It also prevents the narrowing of the airway tract which makes breathing easier.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Children must take MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET only under the supervision of adults. It should not be taken immediately with meals. A time gap of 1 hour before food or 2 hours after food is necessary.

Patients must chew the medicine completely before swallowing. If your child cannot chew the medicine, consult your doctor for advice.

Your doctor will decide the correct dose, duration of therapy and number of doses per day for your child depending upon their age, body weight and disease condition.

Do not stop therapy with MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET in children without consulting your doctor.

SIDE EFFECTS OF MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea and Vomiting:

Make sure that your child eats simple meals. Avoid giving them oil rich or spicy foods. Consult your doctor if nausea worsens in your child.

Headache:

Apply a pain-relieving balm on your child’s forehead. Consult your doctor if headache worsens.

Dizziness:

Make sure that your child rest and relax. Restrict your child from playing outdoors. Consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

PREGNANCY

MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET is only intended for use in children.

BREASTFEEDING

MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET is only intended for use in children.

ALLERGY

Before giving MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET to your child, inform your doctor if your child is allergic to Montelukast.

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug - Drug interactions:

Before giving MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET to your child, inform your doctor if your child is taking any of the following medicines such as:

• medicines used to treat fits (Ex. phenobarbital, phenytoin)
• rifampicin (a medicine used to treat tuberculosis)
• medicines used to relieve fever, pain and inflammation (Ex. aspirin, ibuprofen)
• gemfibrozil (a medicine used to control blood cholesterol levels)

Overdosage:

In case of accidental overdose with MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of overdose might include stomach pain, sleepiness, thirst, headache, vomiting and hyperactivity.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET out of reach of children
• Store MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET at room temperature

FAQs ABOUT MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET

How MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET works?

MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET effectively controls the symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis, where montelukast acts by blocking the release of certain chemicals (leukotrienes) in the respiratory tract that triggers the allergic and inflammatory response. It also prevents the narrowing of the airway tract which makes breathing easier.

What is the use of MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET?

MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET is used to treat and prevent the signs and symptoms of asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis in children (aged between 2-5 years). It can also be used to prevent bronchospasm (narrowing of airways) triggered due to exercise.

Can I take MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET daily?

MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET is generally prescribed as one dose per day. However, your doctor will decide the number of doses per day depending upon your child’s age, body weight and disease condition.

How long does it take for MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET to start working?

MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET may start working within 2 hours of oral administration. However, it may take 2 weeks for MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET to show improvements in your child’s condition. Therefore, make sure that your child takes MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET regularly as informed by your doctor without fail to achieve better results.

Is MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET effective?

Yes. MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET effectively controls the symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis, by blocking the release of certain chemicals (leukotrienes) in the respiratory tract that triggers the allergic and inflammatory response. It also prevents the narrowing of the airway tract which makes breathing easier.

What will happen if I consume a high dose of MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET than prescribed by my doctor?

Consuming a higher dose of MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET than the one prescribed by your doctor may lead to unwanted side effects. Your doctor will decide the correct dose for your child, depending on their age and disease condition. If the prescribed dose, is not controlling symptoms in your child, consult your doctor for advice.

Is MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET safe?

MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET is considered safe at doses prescribed by the physician. However, it may cause few side effects such as stomach pain, headache dizziness, nausea, vomiting, upper respiratory tract infections or skin rashes in some children. Contact your doctor if they bother your child.

What should I do if I forgot to take a dose of MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET?

If you forgot to administer a dose of MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET to your child, administer it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time to administer the next dose, skip the missed dose and administer the next one to your child. Do not administer a double dose of MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET to compensate the missed dose.

Can the use of MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET make me feel dizzy?

MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET may cause dizziness in some children. Consult your doctor if this symptom bothers you.

Can adult patients take MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET?

No. MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET is only intended for use in children.

Can MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET be used on an asthma attack?

No. MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET is only used to prevent or manage the symptoms of asthma. If your asthma or breathing gets worse suddenly, contact your doctor immediately or go to the hospital straight away to avoid further exacerbation of the attack. Meanwhile use a fast-acting rescue inhaler along with MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET.

Can I stop giving MONTAIR 4MG CHEW TABLET to my child once the symptoms subside?

No. Do not stop giving this medicine to your child without consulting your doctor as it may make it less effective.

REFERENCES

1. KD. Tripathi. Drugs for Cough and Bronchial Asthma. Respiratory Drugs. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology. 7th Edition. 2013. Page – 228.

2. Barbara Knorr, MD, Alan Hartford, PhD, Xiujiang (Susie) Li, PhD, Amy Yifan Yang, MS, Gertrude Noonan, BA and Elizabeth Migoya, PharmD. Bioequivalence of the 4-mg Oral Granules and Chewable Tablet Formulations of Montelukast. NIH. National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PMC. PubMed Central. June 2010. [Accessed on 29th October 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2913109/

3. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals s.r.o. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in October 2020] [Accessed on 29th October 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.9916.pdf

4. Cipla Ltd. MONTAIR Tablets / Chewable Tablets / Oral Granules (Montelukast sodium). Ciplamed.com. [Revised in November 2019]. [Accessed on 29th October 2022] https://www.ciplamed.com/content/montair-tablets-chewable-tablets-oral-granules

AUTHOR DETAILS

Written By Srilekha. R, B.Pharm
Last updated on 31 Oct 2022 | 05:13 PM(IST)