Singulair is a prescribed medication used to treat asthma and allergy symptoms, according to Drugs.com. An allergy is the inappropriate reaction to a foreign substance by your body's immune system. Your immune system releases different chemical signals to help fight invaders. However, these chemical signals are released against unharmful substances and cause sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, sinus headache and cough. Fortunately, there are medications that your doctor can prescribe to help reduce these symptoms. As with all medications, you should know what is in Singulair, how it affects your symptoms, and its possible side effects.
Montelukast Sodium
The active ingredient in Singulair is montelukast sodium, according to Singulair.com. This ingredient works by blocking leukotriene receptors, or the chemical signal that causes allergy symptoms. According to Drugs.com, four out of five large studies showed a significant decrease in allergy symptoms in subjects when taking Singulair. While this medication is effective, there are quite a few side effects that are possible. Singulair.com lists stomach pain, heartburn, fatigue, fever, stuffy nose, cough, flu, dizziness, headache and rash as common side effects. In addition, increased bleeding, drowsiness, diarrhea, swelling, irregular heartbeat and joint pain are less common symptoms. Consult your doctor if you are allergic to this ingredient or are having significant side effects from this medication.
Aspartame
Inactive ingredients support the active ingredient and help with ease of use of a particular medication. Singulair.com states that the Singulair chewable tablets contain aspartame as an inactive ingredient. This is important because there is much controversy about the safety of aspartame ingestion. However, in a 2007 article in the journal Critical Reviews in Toxicology, aspartame was found to be a safe when used as a sweetener.
Other Inactive Ingredients
Singulair.com lists microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, croscarmellose sodium,hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, titanium dioxide, red ferric oxide, yellow ferric oxide and carnauba wax as other inactive ingredients in Singulair. Let your doctor know if you are allergic to any of these substances before taking Singulair.
