Singulair

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Singulair, the brand name of the prescription respiratory medication montelukast sodium, is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Merck. Singulair prevents bronchospasms during exercise in asthma patients. It also treats seasonal and perennial, or year-round, allergy symptoms. Bronchospasm is a chief characteristic of asthma and bronchitis. A bronchospasm is a temporary narrowing of the bronchi, the airways into the lungs, caused by a contraction of the muscles in the lung walls, by inflammation of the lung lining, or by a combination of both.^{[1] [2]}

Singulair is in a class of medications called leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs). It works by blocking the action of substances in the body that cause the symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis.^[3]

Contents 1 About Singulair 2 Singulair Coupons 3 Singulair Side Effects 4 References

About Singulair

Singulair is a leukotriene inhibitor. Leukotrienes are chemicals that the body releases when breathing in allergens like pollen, mold. or pet dander. These chemicals cause swelling in the lungs and tightening of the muscles around the airways, which can result in asthma symptoms. Singulair works by inhibiting the production of these leukotrienes.

Singulair prevents asthma attacks in adults and children as young as 12 months old. It also relieves runny nose and sneezing caused by allergies in adults and children as young as six months old. Merck's patent for Singulair expires in August of 2012, which exposes is the company to multiple, cheaper generic "copy" verisons. The appearance of generic versions tends to ring down the price on the brand name drug as well. Merck's top-selling drug, Singulair brought in $3.2 billion in United States sales in 2010, and more than $5 billion worldwide. The drug made up 11 percent of the company's total revenue. In recent years, Merck has lost revenue from patent expiration of major drugs like Fosamax, Vioxx, Zocor, Proscar and Cozaar.^[5]

Singulair Coupons

Singulair Side Effects

Common Singulair side effects include headache, dizziness, heartburn, stomach pain and tiredness.

More serious side effects include allergic reactions such as difficulty breathing or swallowing; swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; hoarseness; itching; rash; hives; fever; flu-like symptoms; "pins and needles" or numbness in the arms or legs; and pain and swelling of the sinuses.^{[3] [4]}

Merck makes it clear that adults and children should not take Singulair for immediate relief from sudden asthma attacks. Even while using Singulair, patients are safer keeping their rescue inhaler medicine on hand in case of attack.^[4]

A patient's mental health may change in unexpected ways while taking Singulair. Some examples are agitation, aggressive behavior, anxiety, irritability, unusual dreams, hallucinations, depression, insomnia, restlessness, sleepwalking, suicidal thoughts or actions, or tremors (uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body).

Also See: Singulair Free Samples, Singulair Patient Assistance Programs, Singulair Side Effects, Singulair Coupons, Asthma Coupons, Advair and Pregnancy, Symbicort Side Effects, Albuterol Side Effects

References

1. ↑ http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/591/main.html#DefinitionofBronchospasm
2. ↑ http://www.merriam-webster.com/medlineplus/bronchospasm
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000003/
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6} http://www.singulair.com/montelukast_sodium/singulair/consumer/index.jsp
5. ↑ http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/27/top-selling-drugs-are-about-to-lose-patent-protection-ready/