COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Singulair

USES: This medication is used to control chronic asthma, helping to decrease the number of asthma attacks.

HOW TO USE THIS MEDICATION: Take this medicine by mouth as directed, generally one tablet daily in the evening with or without food. Keep taking this medicine every day, even during asthma attacks and periods when you have no asthma symptoms.

This drug does not relieve acute asthma attacks. Use your prescribed acute asthma attack medicines (and pre-exercise medicines for exercise-related asthma) as directed. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for specific advice on your drug therapy.

Do not decrease or stop any asthma medicine unless instructed to do so by your doctor.

Report promptly to your doctor or pharmacist any worsening of asthma symptoms, if your short-acting inhaler use increases or if use exceeds the 24 hour maximum prescribed by your doctor.

SIDE EFFECTS: Unusual weakness, stomach upset, diarrhea, dizziness, cough, headache or mouth pain may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.

Unlikely but report promptly stomach pain, fever, persistent sore throat or earache, muscle aches, rash or yellowing eyes and skin.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor your medical history, including any allergies (especially drug allergies) or liver disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication.

It is not known whether this drug is excreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially rifamycin antibiotics (e.g., rifampin) , certain anti-seizure drugs (e.g., phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine) or other drugs for asthma.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Medical tests will be performed to monitor for effectiveness and possible side effects of this drug.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.