{"id":1070,"date":"2026-04-25T18:32:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T18:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rxzest.com\/en-za\/?p=1070"},"modified":"2026-05-13T11:05:35","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T11:05:35","slug":"monte-air-uses-dosage-side-effects-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rxzest.com\/en-za\/monte-air-uses-dosage-side-effects-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Monte-Air in South Africa: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you are taking MONTE-AIR, or giving it to your child, it helps to understand what the medicine is for, how to use it correctly, and when to get medical advice. MONTE-AIR contains montelukast sodium<\/strong>, a medicine used to help control asthma. In adults using it for asthma, it may also help with symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly called hay fever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick facts:<\/strong> MONTE-AIR is taken once daily in the evening<\/strong>, with or without food, exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It is not<\/strong> for fast relief during an asthma attack. You or your child should still keep the prescribed inhaled rescue medicine nearby for asthma attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scheduling status in the source is S3<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What it is and what it is used for<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MONTE-AIR contains the active ingredient montelukast sodium<\/strong>. It belongs to a group of medicines called leukotriene receptor antagonists<\/strong>. This means it blocks substances in the body called leukotrienes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MONTE-AIR is available in different forms and strengths:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • MONTE-AIR 10 mg film-coated tablets<\/strong> for adults and adolescents 15 years and older<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • MONTE-AIR 5 mg chewable tablets<\/strong> for children 6 to 14 years<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • MONTE-AIR 4 mg chewable tablets<\/strong> for children 2 to 5 years<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • MONTE-AIR SPRINKLES<\/strong> for children 2 to 5 years<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    MONTE-AIR is used for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Prevention and treatment of asthma<\/strong> in adults and children, depending on the correct age-appropriate strength.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Some symptomatic relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis<\/strong>, also known as hay fever, in adult patients who are using MONTE-AIR for asthma.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      MONTE-AIR 5 mg chewable tablets have not been studied for seasonal hay fever in children with asthma<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      How it works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Your body can make substances called leukotrienes<\/strong>. In asthma, leukotrienes can cause the airways in the lungs to become narrower and swollen. This can make breathing more difficult and may contribute to asthma symptoms and asthma attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      MONTE-AIR works by blocking leukotrienes. By doing this, it helps improve asthma symptoms and helps prevent asthma attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Leukotrienes can also play a part in allergy symptoms. Blocking them may improve allergic rhinitis symptoms, including seasonal and perennial nasal allergies. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is often linked to outdoor triggers, while perennial allergic rhinitis is linked to indoor triggers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Who should NOT use this medicine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Do not use MONTE-AIR if you or your child:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Are allergic to montelukast<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in MONTE-AIR.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Have been told not to use this medicine by your doctor or pharmacist.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Do not give MONTE-AIR 10 mg film-coated tablets<\/strong> to a child:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Who is younger than 15 years<\/strong>, because safety and effectiveness have not been shown for that age group.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Do not give MONTE-AIR 5 mg chewable tablets<\/strong> to a child:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • Who is younger than 6 years<\/strong>, because safety and effectiveness have not been shown for that age group.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Do not give MONTE-AIR 4 mg chewable tablets or MONTE-AIR SPRINKLES<\/strong> to a child:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            • Who is younger than 2 years<\/strong>, because safety and effectiveness have not been shown for that age group.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              Do not use MONTE-AIR 10 mg film-coated tablets<\/strong> if you or your child has the rare hereditary condition of lactose intolerance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Do not use MONTE-AIR 4 mg or 5 mg chewable tablets<\/strong> without medical advice if you or your child has phenylketonuria<\/strong>, because these tablets contain aspartame, which is a source of phenylalanine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Warnings and precautions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

              Read before use<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

              MONTE-AIR must be taken carefully and consistently. It is meant to help control asthma over time. It is not a replacement for all other asthma medicines, and it must not be used as the medicine for sudden asthma attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Warning:<\/strong> MONTE-AIR is not for immediate relief<\/strong> during an asthma attack. Follow the asthma attack instructions your doctor has given you, and keep the prescribed inhaled rescue medicine with you or your child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Keep taking it as prescribed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

              You or your child should continue taking MONTE-AIR every day as prescribed, even when there are no asthma symptoms. You should also continue taking it if an asthma attack happens, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Asthma control depends on taking your medicine regularly. MONTE-AIR can only help treat asthma if it is taken as directed for as long as your doctor prescribes it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Do not replace other asthma medicines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

              Do not stop, reduce, or change any of your or your child\u2019s other asthma medicines unless your doctor tells you to. MONTE-AIR should not be used instead of other asthma medicines that have been prescribed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              If your doctor prescribed a medicine to use before exercise, keep using that medicine unless your doctor tells you to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              When asthma gets worse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

              Contact your doctor immediately if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              • Your or your child\u2019s asthma symptoms become worse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Symptoms happen more often.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • You or your child needs to use the inhaled rescue medicine more often than usual.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                These may be signs that asthma control is not good enough and that your doctor needs to review the treatment plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Aspirin and NSAID-sensitive asthma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                If you or your child\u2019s asthma is known to get worse with aspirin, do not take aspirin. You should also avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, called NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Symptoms needing urgent medical advice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                Tell your doctor immediately if you or your child develops a combination of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                • Flu-like illness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Pins and needles<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Numbness in the arms or legs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Worsening lung symptoms<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Rash<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  This combination may be linked to an increase in certain white blood cells called eosinophils and possible inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Behaviour and mood changes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                  Behaviour and mood-related changes have been reported in people taking MONTE-AIR. Speak to your doctor if you or your child notices changes such as anxiety, sleep problems, irritability, aggression, depression, abnormal dreams, hallucinations, restlessness, tremor, sleep walking, stuttering, or other unusual changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Driving and using machines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                  MONTE-AIR may cause side effects such as drowsiness<\/strong> and dizziness<\/strong>. These can affect your ability to drive, operate machines, or do tasks that need full alertness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Be careful until you know how MONTE-AIR affects you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Alcohol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                  Not specified in the source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Pregnancy, planning pregnancy, and breastfeeding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                  The safety of MONTE-AIR in pregnant and breastfeeding women has not been established<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding, speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or another healthcare provider before taking MONTE-AIR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  The source states that MONTE-AIR should not be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is also not known whether MONTE-AIR passes into human breast milk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Interactions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                  Other medicines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                  Always tell your doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other healthcare provider about all medicines you or your child are taking. This includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    \n
                  • Prescription medicines<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Medicines bought without a prescription<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Complementary medicines<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Traditional medicines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                    Some medicines may affect how MONTE-AIR works. MONTE-AIR may also affect how other medicines work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Food and drink<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                    MONTE-AIR can be taken with or without food<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    For MONTE-AIR SPRINKLES, the source gives special instructions on how to give the medicine with soft food. See the \u201cHow to take\u201d section below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Aspirin and ibuprofen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                    If you or your child has asthma that is made worse by aspirin, do not take aspirin or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Laboratory tests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                    Increased liver enzymes have been reported in clinical studies and are detected by laboratory tests. No specific monitoring schedule is provided in the source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    How to take<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                    Step-by-step<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                    Take MONTE-AIR exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    General instructions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \n
                    • Take MONTE-AIR once daily<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Take it in the evening<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • It may be taken with or without food<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Use the strength and form prescribed for your age or your child\u2019s age.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Do not share this medicine with another person, even if their symptoms seem similar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                      Adults and adolescents 15 years and older<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                      For asthma treatment, the dose is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        \n
                      • One MONTE-AIR 10 mg film-coated tablet each evening<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                        Children 6 to 14 years<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                        For asthma treatment, the dose is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \n
                        • One MONTE-AIR 5 mg chewable tablet each evening<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                          MONTE-AIR 5 mg chewable tablets have not been studied in seasonal hay fever in children with asthma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          Children 2 to 5 years: chewable tablets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                          For asthma treatment, the dose is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            \n
                          • One MONTE-AIR 4 mg chewable tablet each evening<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                            Children 2 to 5 years: SPRINKLES<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                            The dose is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \n
                            • One whole packet of MONTE-AIR SPRINKLES each evening<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                              Do not open the packet until you are ready to use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              You may give MONTE-AIR SPRINKLES in one of two ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                \n
                              • Give the whole packet directly into the child\u2019s mouth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                              • Mix the whole packet with a spoonful of cold or room-temperature soft food, such as apple sauce.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                                After mixing with food, give the full mixture immediately. It must be given within 15 minutes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                Warning:<\/strong> Do not store any MONTE-AIR SPRINKLES mixture for later use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                MONTE-AIR SPRINKLES are not meant to be dissolved in liquid. Your child may drink liquids after swallowing the SPRINKLES.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                If the effect feels too strong or too weak<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you feel that MONTE-AIR is working too strongly or not strongly enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                If you miss a dose<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                If you or your child forgets a dose, return to the usual schedule of one dose each evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                Do not take, or give your child, a double dose to make up for the missed dose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                If you take too much<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                If you or your child takes more MONTE-AIR than prescribed, contact your doctor or pharmacist. If neither is available, contact the nearest hospital or poison control centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                Symptoms reported most often with overdose in adults and children include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                  \n
                                • Abdominal pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                • Sleepiness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                • Thirst<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                • Headache<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                • Vomiting<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                • Irritability<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                • Restlessness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                • Tremor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                                  Dosing table<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                                  Age group<\/th>Form and strength<\/th>Dose<\/th>Frequency<\/th>Maximum daily dose stated in source<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
                                  Adults and adolescents 15 years and older<\/td>10 mg film-coated tablet<\/td>One 10 mg tablet<\/td>Once daily in the evening<\/td>One 10 mg tablet daily<\/td><\/tr>
                                  Children 6 to 14 years<\/td>5 mg chewable tablet<\/td>One 5 mg chewable tablet<\/td>Once daily in the evening<\/td>One 5 mg chewable tablet daily<\/td><\/tr>
                                  Children 2 to 5 years<\/td>4 mg chewable tablet<\/td>One 4 mg chewable tablet<\/td>Once daily in the evening<\/td>One 4 mg chewable tablet daily<\/td><\/tr>
                                  Children 2 to 5 years<\/td>SPRINKLES, 4 mg montelukast per packet<\/td>One whole packet<\/td>Once daily in the evening<\/td>One packet daily<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                                  Possible side effects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                                  MONTE-AIR can cause side effects. Not everyone will get them. If your or your child\u2019s general health worsens while taking MONTE-AIR, or if you notice any unwanted effects, speak to a healthcare provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                  Common<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                  The following side effects were frequently reported in clinical studies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                    \n
                                  • Headache<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                  • Thirst<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                  • Abdominal pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                  • Increased liver enzymes found through laboratory tests<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                                    Less common<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                    Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects reported with MONTE-AIR:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                      \n
                                    • Increased bleeding tendency linked to a low blood platelet count<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Palpitations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Dizziness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Drowsiness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Pins and needles<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Reduced feeling or sensitivity, especially in the skin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Nose bleed<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Swelling or inflammation of the lungs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Diarrhoea<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Indigestion<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Nausea<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Vomiting<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Joint pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Aching muscles, including muscle cramps<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Bedwetting in children<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Swelling<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Fever<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Weakness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Tiredness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                    • Upper respiratory infections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                                      Behaviour and mood-related effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                                      Tell your doctor immediately if you or your child notices behaviour or mood-related changes, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n