Asthma is one of the chronic diseases that affects your lungs. You tend to wheeze and gasp coupled with coughing. You may also experience stressful cycles of breathing. At times, onset of asthma is observed among those who exercise intensively. Asthma is grouped as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – also labelled as COPD. It is caused by a combination of risk factors including genetic as well as environmental triggers. Meds are available for controlling asthmatic spells. Montelukast is one of the meds commonly used. But, how long does it take for montelukast to work for cough? It is of help to know more.
Spells of asthma can show up through episodes of coughing, panting and wheezing. You may find it hard to bring up the sputum your lungs make. Signs of asthma may get worser at night-times or while you are working out. In some people, exposure to cold or moist air can make you cough more. People living with asthma may also suffer from sleep disorders like apnea, sinusitis as well as acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease – GERD.
There is no known cure for conditions like asthma. But its signs can be kept under control. The most commonly used treatment approaches include identification of risks – such as smoke from tobacco products, pet dander, pollen or allergies caused by mites. When stopping exposure to allergens does not work well, your caregiver may prescribe a few meds.
In this light, what is montelukast?
Montelukast is used for the case management of respiratory conditions like asthma. This med is not a first line treatment for asthma; inhaled forms of corticosteroids are preferred to this drug. However, it is used for a range of conditions like allergic rhinitis, exercise-triggered bronchospasms, urticaria, etc. More often, montelukast is used as a combinatorial treatment along with corticosteroids i.e., inhaled versions of such steroids.
Montelukast
Key elements of this med can block the activities of leukotriene D-4 inside your lungs. This action results in reduction of internal swelling as well as relaxing the muscles of the airways. It is available as a chewable pill and also as a regular tablet. A granular form of this drug is also widely sold in drugstores. The typical dose is once within a 24-hour timeline; you can take it either before or after a meal.
Montelukast dosage for cough
The maintenance dose of montelukast is 10 milligrams (mg) offered as a single dose each day. The efficacy of this drug is found to be high when taken during the evening hours. In case of coughs associated with physical workouts or exercises, you are advised to take it at least 1.50 hours prior to working out.
However, in case of younger patients – the doses are moderated based on age and body weight of patients. In case of patients aged between 3 to 5 years, 4 milligrams of granules or chewable pill is administered. If patients are aged above 15 years, dosage is maintained at 10 mg per day.
Doses for children and younger adults are best administered during evening hours. This med is not cleared for use among children aged less than 2 years. In general, if your child is less than 7 years of age – you are advised to follow the instructions of a qualified child doctor.
Above all, you need to know that your caregiving team has prescribed montelukast as the benefits outweigh the risks of taking this drug. This med may trigger a few side effects like rashes on skin, numbing of fingers, signs resembling an infection like a runny nose, tremors, etc. Upon sensing any of these adverse effects, talk to your treating physician without much delay.
Lastly, to have more details on montelukast for dry cough, it is recommended to talk to your doctor. If montelukast does not yield needful remedy, you can use a fast-acting bronchodilator for quicker relief.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Master’s in Nursing (MSN) from Johns Hopkins University. Experience: 7 years writing for online health portals and nursing journals, specializing in patient education and chronic illness management.
