Monticel Tablet 5 mg

About Monticel Tablet 5 mg

Monticel Tablet 5 mg Uses

• Long term control and prevention of asthma symptoms
• Relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Relief of perennial allergic rhinitis
• Prevention of exercise induced bronchoconstriction
• Add on therapy for children with mild persistent asthma

Monticel Tablet 5 mg Benefits

• Reduces airway inflammation caused by leukotrienes
• Helps lower the frequency of asthma flare ups
• Eases nasal congestion, sneezing and itching from allergies
• Convenient once daily oral dosing
• Suitable chewable strength for school age children

What Experts Say

Montelukast works by selectively blocking leukotriene D4 receptors along the airway and nasal mucosa, which limits bronchoconstriction, mucus production and mucosal swelling without causing the sedation typically seen with older antihistamines.

Physicians commonly reserve the 5mg chewable strength for children between six and fourteen years of age, since paediatric dosing in this population is weight and age adjusted rather than scaled directly from the adult 10mg strength, and once daily evening dosing supports better adherence in school going children.

Pakistan carries a substantial burden of poorly controlled paediatric asthma linked to urban air pollution, seasonal pollen and indoor allergen exposure, so clinicians frequently add a leukotriene receptor antagonist to inhaled corticosteroid therapy for children who still have breakthrough symptoms, while monitoring for mood changes and liver enzyme shifts during routine follow up visits.

Drug Class

• Leukotriene receptor antagonist
• Anti asthmatic and anti allergic agent

Monticel Tablet 5 mg formula

• Montelukast Sodium 5mg

Available forms

• Tablet

How to use Monticel Tablet 5 mg?

• Take one tablet by mouth once daily in the evening
• Can be taken with or without food
• Chew the tablet fully before swallowing if using the chewable form
• Do not crush or split if the product is film coated
• Take at the same time each day for consistent control
• Continue taking it daily even when there are no symptoms, since it works as a preventer
• Do not use it to treat a sudden asthma attack that is already happening

Drug Interactions

• Phenobarbital: Can lower montelukast blood levels by speeding up its breakdown in the liver.
• Rifampicin: Strongly reduces montelukast effectiveness through liver enzyme induction.
• Gemfibrozil: Can raise montelukast blood levels and increase side effect risk.
• Other asthma preventer drugs: Effects generally add up when combined with inhaled corticosteroids, so doses should stay as prescribed.
• Warfarin: No major interaction expected, but monitoring is still reasonable in patients on blood thinners.

Risks and warnings

• Mood changes: Some patients report agitation, anxiety, nightmares or low mood while on montelukast.
• Not a rescue inhaler: This tablet does not relieve an acute asthma attack and a fast acting inhaler must stay on hand.
• Liver impairment: Use with caution in patients with existing liver disease and monitor liver enzymes if advised.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Use only if the treating doctor considers it clearly necessary.
• Phenylketonuria: Chewable tablets may contain aspartame, so caution is needed in phenylketonuria.
• Children under six: This 5mg strength is meant for children six years and older, not younger children.
• Allergic reaction: Stop the tablet and seek care if swelling, rash or breathing difficulty appears after a dose.
• Drug allergy history: Avoid if there is a known hypersensitivity to montelukast or any tablet component.

Monticel Tablet 5 mg Side Effects

• Headache
• Stomach pain
• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Skin rash
• Sleep disturbance
• Irritability or mood swings
• Nausea

Storage Conditions

• Store below 30 degrees Celsius in a dry place
• Keep the tablet strip inside its original carton away from direct sunlight
• Keep out of reach of children
• Do not store in the bathroom or near a kitchen sink due to moisture