What is Montelukast?
Montelukast is an allergy medicine that helps relieve the symptoms of hives, an allergic reaction that causes red, itchy, and inflamed skin. It usually resolves within 24 hours, but if symptoms persist, you may need treatment with oral antihistamines.
While Montelukast isn’t often the first choice of treatment for hives, it can be taken when antihistamines aren’t working for you.
Montelukast is prescribed off-label for hives. This is a relatively common practice and simply means that although it’s considered safe and effective to be used in this way, its use for this condition is not mentioned in the patient package insert.
How does Montelukast work?
Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist. What this means is that it blocks the action of leukotrienes (natural chemicals in your body that can cause inflammation, like in asthma and allergies). While histamine (a similar chemical) is the main cause of hives, leukotrienes can also contribute to inflammation. By blocking leukotrienes, Montelukast can help reduce the severity of your symptoms.[1]
Will I get side effects using Montelukast?
You might get side effects while using Montelukast. The most commonly reported side effects include headache and abdominal pain, but these are usually mild and short-lived. Other side effects may include mood changes, depression, and seizures.
Generally, most people find Montelukast easy to manage and don’t experience any serious side effects while taking it.
Can I take Montelukast at night?
For hives, Montelukast can be taken at any time during the day. Taking it in the evening/night is usually recommended for people with asthma, as that’s when symptoms tend to worsen. For hives, the timing of the dose is flexible.
What doses of Montelukast are there?
Montelukast comes in a 10mg tablet. It’s taken once daily until your symptoms clear.
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