What is the concern about Singulair (montelukast)?
Singulair is a major drug in asthma treatment – it is important to review recent developments and put these findings in perspective of overall asthma care for individual patients. Singulair (montelukast) Singulair (manufactured and marketed by Merck and Co.) is a drug of the so-called anti-leukotriene class that is used for control of symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever). It was initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in asthma in 1998 (its indication was broadened to include treatment of allergic rhinitis in 2003). In the two broad classes of asthma medications — quick-relief (typically bronchodilators, such as Xopenex or Foradil) and long-term controllers (typically anti-inflammatory medications such as Azmacort or Medrol) — Singulair falls in the latter class. The anti-leukotrienes block the action of several molecules that not only cause inflammation in the breathing tubes of asthmatics but also contribute to airway narrowing (bro
