Fda ( Food and Drug Administration ) has approved Singulair ( Montelukast ) for the relief of symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis ( PAR ), or indoor allergies, in adults and children six months of age and older.

A convenient once-a-day tablet, Singulair has been proven to help relieve a broad range of indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms for up to 24 hours.

Singulair, which was approved for the treatment of the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitus ( SAR ) in 2003, is different from most oral allergy medications, which block histamine, in that it blocks leukotrienes, an important contributor to allergy symptoms.
Singulair is the only medication indicated for allergic rhinitis that specifically targets this particular underlying contributor to allergy symptoms.

Singulair is approved for SAR in adults and children two years and older, and for PAR in adults and children six months and older.

For treatment of symptoms of allergic rhinitis, Singulair is available in tablet form for adults ( 10 mg ), as a cherry-chewable tablet ( 4 or 5 mg ) for children aged two to 14 years and in oral granules ( 4 mg ) for children six months to five years.

In separate clinical trials of PAR and SAR, Singulair ( 10 mg ) has provided significantly greater symptom relief compared to placebo.
The efficacy of Singulair for treatment of PAR was evaluated in two randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled studies in patients age 15 to 82 years with PAR. In one of these studies, Singulair demonstrated effectiveness in improving daytime nasal symptoms score, the primary endpoint, measured as the average of individual scores for nasal congestion, runny nose and sneezing.

The efficacy of Singulair for treatment of symptoms of SAR was previously established in placebo and active-controlled clinical studies of patients age 15 to 82 years.
In these studies, Singulair demonstrated effectiveness in improving daytime nasal symptoms score, the primary endpoint, measured as the average of individual scores for nasal congestion, runny nose, nasal itching and sneezing.

In clinical studies for both SAR and PAR, Singulair was generally well tolerated with a safety profile similar to that of placebo for both children and adults.
The incidence of sleepiness was similar to placebo in all studies for adults and adolescents 15 years of age and older with SAR and PAR.
In these studies, the most frequently reported side effects included headache, ear infection, sore throat and upper respiratory infection.
These events varied by age, and were reported at a frequency greater than or equal to two percent, and at an incidence greater than placebo in either the SAR or PAR studies.

Singulair is also indicated for the prevention and chronic treatment of asthma in adults and pediatric patients 12 months and older.
The use of Singulair for asthma may not eliminate the need for inhaled or oral corticosteroids. Patients should be advised to take Singulair daily as prescribed even when they have no symptoms, as well as during periods of worsening asthma.
Singulair should not be used for the fast relief of acute asthma attacks or used alone to treat and manage asthma made worse by exercise.
Patients with known Aspirin sensitivity should continue avoidance of Aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents while taking Singulair.

In clinical studies for asthma, side effects in adults and children taking Singulair were usually mild and generally did not cause patients to discontinue therapy.
The most commonly reported side effects varied by age and included headache, ear infection, sore throat and upper respiratory infection.

Allergic rhinitis, an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose due to allergens, is one of the most common allergic conditions in the U.S., affecting approximately 50 million Americans.
Allergic rhinitis is classified as either seasonal or perennial depending upon the type of trigger and duration of symptoms.
SAR symptoms occur in the spring, summer and/or early fall and are triggered by outdoor allergens such as airborne tree, grass and weed pollens while PAR is usually persistent and chronic with symptoms occurring year-round and is commonly associated with indoor allergens such as dust mites, animal dander and/or mold spores.
Symptoms of allergic rhinitis may include runny nose, nasal itching, sneezing, watery eyes and nasal congestion.

Source: Merck, 2005


XagenaMedicine2005