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Singular is used for the prevention and long-term treatment of asthma, as well as for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis. It works by blocking leukotrienes (which are naturally occuring substances in the body, but blocking them improves asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms).

Use exactly as instructed by your physicain. Read the product leaflet carefully before use. Take with or without food, and chew thoroughly before swallowing. Generally, if this medicine is being taken for asthma, it is taken once daily in the evening. If taking for hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis), take at any hour but at about the same time each day. If you are taking it for both asthma and hay fever, take it in the evening. Continue to take this medicine even if you feel well.

Store at room temp., in a tightly-closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees f (15 and 30 degrees c) is permitted.

Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of this medicine use it as soon as your remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, just skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Avoid taking a double dose.

Possible side effects from using Singulair include unusual weakness, stomach upset, diarrhea, dizziness, cough, headache, nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, and mouth pain. If the symptoms listed above persist or are especially bothersome, contact your physicain. Contact your physicain immediately if you experience hallucinations, fever, persistent sore throat or earache, or flu symptoms. In addition, you should contact your physicain immediately if you experience any of the following very rare but serious side effects: stomach pain, muscle aches/cramps, irregular heartbeat, yellowing eyes/skin, numbness/tingling of the hands or feet, easy bruising or bleeding, swelling, or seizures. It is unlikely that you will have an allergic reaction to Singulair, but if you do, seek emergency medical care.

Some medications and conditions may interact with Singulair and impair its effects or create unwanted side effects. Tell your physicain about all the medications you are taking (including over-the-counter and herbal/natural products) and about your complete medical history before using Singulair, including liver problems, certain blood disorders (phenylketonuria), allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding.

Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking rifamycin antibiotics (e.g., rifampin), certain medicines which stimulate liver metabolism (e.g., phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine), or other asthma medicines. Do not start or stop any medicine without physicain or pharmacist approval. Use of the 4mg tablet is not recommended in children under age 2. Use of the 5mg tablet is not recommended in children under age 6. Please talk with your physicain about potential risks and benefits before giving Singulair to your child. Singulair is of no use in the middle of an asthma attack and is not a replacement for the bronchodilator inhaler. Consult your physicain or pharmacist for specific advice on all drug therapy. Talk to your physicain if Singulair doesn't relieve your symptoms, if your symptoms worsen, or if you find yourself using your short-acting inhaler more often. Do not stop using Singulair or any other asthma medicine without first talking to your physicain about it. Keep all your physicain and laboratory appointments while you are using Singulair: you need to be monitored for progress and for unwanted side effects. Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your physicain or pharmacist. Singulair contains aspartame. If you have phenylketonuria (pku) or any other condition where you must restrict your intake of aspartame (or phenylalanine), consult your physicain about whether you can use Singulair. If you are or plan to become pregnant while using Singulair, consult your physicain before using Singulair. Singulair may pass into breast-milk and may harm a nursing infant; if you are or plan to start breast-feeding, consult your physicain before using Singulair. If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. It is recommended that you carry an identification card at all times that states that you are using Singulair. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

Merck & Co., Inc. is a global pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products for human and animal health, directly and through its joint ventures. Merck's global headquarters are located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.