Prescription Drug Information: Montelukast

MONTELUKAST — montelukast sodium tablet, film coated
Quallent Pharmaceuticals Health LLC

WARNING: SERIOUS NEUROPSYCHIATRIC EVENTS

WARNING: SERIOUS NEUROPSYCHIATRIC EVENTS

Serious neuropsychiatric (NP) events have been reported with the use of montelukast sodium. The types of events reported were highly variable, and included, but were not limited to, agitation, aggression, depression, sleep disturbances, suicidal thoughts and behavior (including suicide). The mechanisms underlying NP events associated with montelukast sodium use are currently not well understood [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1)].
Because of the risk of NP events, the benefits of montelukast sodium may not outweigh the risks in some patients, particularly when the symptoms of disease may be mild and adequately treated with alternative therapies. Reserve use of montelukast sodium for patients with allergic rhinitis who have an inadequate response or intolerance to alternative therapies [see Indications and Usage ( 1.3)]. In patients with asthma or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, consider the benefits and risks before prescribing montelukast sodium. Discuss the benefits and risks of montelukast sodium with patients and caregivers when prescribing montelukast sodium. Advise patients and/or caregivers to be alert for changes in behavior or new NP symptoms when taking montelukast sodium. If changes in behavior are observed, or if new NP symptoms or suicidal thoughts and/or behavior occur, advise patients to discontinue montelukast sodium and contact a healthcare provider immediately [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1)].

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

1.1 Asthma

Montelukast sodium tablets are indicated for the prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma in adults and adolescents 15 years of age and older.

1.2 Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB)

Montelukast sodium tablets are indicated for prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in patients 15 years of age and older.

1.3 Allergic Rhinitis

Montelukast sodium tablets are indicated for the relief of symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis in patients 15 years of age and older and perennial allergic rhinitis in patients 15 years of age and older. Because the benefits of montelukast sodium tablets may not outweigh the risk of neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)], reserve use for patients who have an inadequate response or intolerance to alternative therapies.

1.4 Limitations of Use

Montelukast sodium tablets are not indicated for the treatment of an acute asthma attack.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Asthma

For asthma, administer montelukast sodium tablets orally once daily in the evening, with or without food. There have been no clinical trials in patients with asthma to evaluate the relative efficacy of morning versus evening dosing.
The following doses are recommended: Table 1: Recommended Dosage in Asthma

Age Dose
Adult and adolescent patients 15 years of age and older one 10 mg tablet

Patients who miss a dose should take the next dose at their regular time and should not take 2 doses at the same time.

2.2 Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB)


For prevention of EIB, administer a single dose of montelukast sodium tablets orally at least 2 hours, before exercise.
The following doses are recommended:
Table 2: Recommended Dosage in Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB)

Age Dose
Adult and adolescent patients 15 years of age and older one 10 mg tablet

An additional dose of montelukast sodium tablets should not be taken within 24 hours of a previous dose. Patients already taking montelukast sodium tablets daily for another indication (including chronic asthma) should not take an additional dose to prevent EIB. All patients should have available for rescue a short-acting β-agonist. Daily administration of montelukast sodium tablets for the chronic treatment of asthma has not been established to prevent acute episodes of EIB.

2.3 Allergic Rhinitis

For allergic rhinitis, administer montelukast sodium tablets orally once daily without regard to time of food ingestion. Time of administration in patients with allergic rhinitis can be individualized to suit patient needs. The following doses for the treatment of symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis are recommended:

Table 3: Recommended Dosage in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

Age Dose
Adult and adolescent patients 15 years of age and older one 10 mg tablet

The following doses for the treatment of symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis are recommended:

Table 4: Recommended Dosage in Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Age Dose
Adult and adolescent patients 15 years of age and older one 10 mg tablet

Patients who miss a dose should take the next dose at their regular time and should not take 2 doses at the same time.

2.4 Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis


For patients with both asthma and allergic rhinitis, administer only one montelukast sodium tablets dose orally once daily in the evening. Patients who miss a dose should take the next dose at their regular time and should not take 2 doses at the same time.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

  • Montelukast sodium film-coated tablets, USP 10 mg are beige, rounded square-shaped, film-coated tablets debossed with ‘I’ on one side and ‘114’ on the other side.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

Montelukast sodium tablets are contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to any of its components.

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Neuropsychiatric Events

Serious neuropsychiatric (NP) events have been reported with use of montelukast sodium. These postmarketing reports have been highly variable and included, but were not limited to, agitation, aggressive behavior or hostility, anxiousness, depression, disorientation, disturbance in attention, dream abnormalities, dysphemia (stuttering), hallucinations, insomnia, irritability, memory impairment, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, restlessness, somnambulism, suicidal thoughts and behavior (including suicide), tic, and tremor. NP events have been reported in adult, adolescent, and pediatric patients with and without a previous history of psychiatric disorder. NP events have been reported mostly during montelukast sodium treatment, but some were reported after montelukast sodium discontinuation. Animal studies showed that montelukast distributes into the brain in rats [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]; however, the mechanisms underlying montelukast sodium-associated NP events are currently not well understood. Based upon the available data, it is difficult to identify risk factors for or quantify the risk of NP events with montelukast sodium use.
Because of the risk of NP events, the benefits of montelukast sodium may not outweigh the risks in some patients, particularly when the symptoms of disease may be mild and adequately treated with alternative therapies. Reserve use of montelukast sodium for patients with allergic rhinitis who have an inadequate response or intolerance to alternative therapies [see Indications and Usage (1.3)]. In patients with asthma or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, consider the benefits and risks before prescribing montelukast sodium. Discuss the benefits and risks of montelukast sodium use with patients and caregivers when prescribing montelukast sodium. Advise patients and/or caregivers to be alert for changes in behavior or for new NP symptoms when taking montelukast sodium. If changes in behavior are observed, or if new NP symptoms or suicidal thoughts and/or behavior occur, advise patients to discontinue montelukast sodium and contact a healthcare provider immediately. In many cases, symptoms resolved after stopping montelukast sodium therapy; however, in some cases symptoms persisted after discontinuation of montelukast sodium. Therefore, continue to monitor and provide supportive care until symptoms resolve. Re-evaluate the benefits and risks of restarting treatment with montelukast sodium if such events occur.

5.2 Acute Asthma

Montelukast sodium is not indicated for use in the reversal of bronchospasm in acute asthma attacks, including status asthmaticus. Patients should be advised to have appropriate rescue medication available. Therapy with montelukast sodium can be continued during acute exacerbations of asthma. Patients who have exacerbations of asthma after exercise should have available for rescue a short-acting inhaled β-agonist.

5.3 Concomitant Corticosteroid Use

While the dose of inhaled corticosteroid may be reduced gradually under medical supervision, montelukast sodium should not be abruptly substituted for inhaled or oral corticosteroids.

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