Singulair Medication for Children With Allergies

Medically reviewed by

on November 23, 2019

Singulair is a prescription allergy and asthma medication that can be used in children as young as six months old.

Unlike most allergy medications, Singulair doesn't usually cause drowsiness or sedation, which may make it a good choice for children who have gotten sleepy with Zyrtec, Claritin, or Clarinex.

Uses

Singulair is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:

Perennial allergic rhinitis in children 6 months and older
Indoor allergies in children 6 months and older
Seasonal allergic rhinitis in children over 2
Outdoor allergies in children over 2
Asthma attack prevention and long-term maintenance in children 12 months and older
Exercise-induced asthma prevention in children 6 and older

Singulair is shown to help control children's allergy symptoms, including:

Sneezing
Stuffy nose
Runny nose
Itchy nose

Forms of Singulair include:

Singulair Oral Granules (ages 6 months to 5 years)
Singulair Chewable Tablets 4mg (ages 2 to 5 years)
Singulair Chewable Tablets 5 mg (ages 6 to 14 years)
Singulair Tablets 10 mg (ages 15 and above)

Not a Rescue Medication!

Children should not take Singulair for the immediate relief of an asthma attack. A rescue inhaler is the best medication for that.

How It Works

Montelukast sodium, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, is the active ingredient in Singulair. Leukotrienes are thought to cause many allergy and asthma symptoms, so blocking them with Singulair may help control your child's symptoms.

Child-Friendly Forms

Singulair comes as oral granules and as a chewable tablet, making it easy to give to young kids who can't swallow pills and won't drink a liquid allergy medicine. You can dissolve the granuals in a teaspoon of infant formula or breast milk; or mix them with a spoonful of soft food, such as baby food, applesauce, rice, or ice cream. You can also put them directly in your child's mouth.

It's a once-a-day medication, but children with asthma should take their Singulair in the evening. Children with allergies can take it whenever it is convenient but preferably at about the same time each day.

Side Effects

Singulair is generally well tolerated by children. The most common side effects include:

Stomach pain
Stomach or intestinal upset
Heartburn
Tiredness
Fever
Stuffy nose
Cough
Flu
Upper respiratory infection
Dizziness
Headache
Rash

Less common side effects include:

Agitation and aggressive behavior
Allergic reactions
Hives and itching
Bad or vivid dreams
Increased bleeding tendency
Bruising
Diarrhea
Drowsiness
Hallucinations
Hepatitis
Indigestion
Pancreatitis
Irritability
Joint pain
Muscle aches
Muscle cramps
Nausea
Palpitations
Pins and needles/numbness
Restlessness
Seizures
Swelling
Trouble sleeping
Vomiting

Tell your doctor right away if your child experiences any of the following potentially serious symptoms:

Pins and needles or numbness in the arms or legs
Flu-like illness
Rash
Severe pain and swelling of the sinuses

The FDA in 2009 required the manufacturer of Singulair to include a warning about an increased risk of depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicide. A 2018 study found the link between Singulair use and depression was weak and more likely represented a link between asthma and depression. Still, children taking Singulair and their parents should be aware of the warning.

A Word From Verywell

If you think your child would benefit from Singulair, talk to your pediatrician or allergist. Be sure you know the potential risks and watch for side effects, as you should with any medication.