Kids' Health Commonly Prescribed Drugs Singulair for Children With Allergies By Vincent Iannelli, MD Vincent Iannelli, MD Facebook Vincent Iannelli, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 27, 2023 Medically reviewed by Daniel Combs, MD Medically reviewed by Daniel Combs, MD Daniel Combs, MD, is board-certified in sleep medicine and pediatrics. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Uses How It Works Forms and How to Use Them Side Effects Singulair (montelukast) can be used to treat allergies in children as young as 6 months. Unlike most allergy medications, Singulair doesn't usually cause drowsiness or sedation, which may make it a good choice for children who get sleepy when taking Zyrtec (cetirizine), Claritin (loratadine), or Clarinex (desloratadine). This article discusses the prescription allergy and asthma medication Singulair and its use in children. Learn about how it works, child-friendly forms of the drug, and possible side effects. KidStock / Blend Images / Getty Images Uses for Singulair in Children Singulair is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for: Children 6 months and older with perennial allergic rhinitis Children 6 months and older with indoor allergies Children over 2 with seasonal allergic rhinitis Children over 2 with outdoor allergies Children 6 and older with exercise-induced asthma Prevention of asthma attack and long-term asthma maintenance in children 12 months and older 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. Understanding the Basics of Childhood Asthma How Singulair Works The active ingredient in Singulair is montelukast sodium, a leukotriene receptor antagonist. Leukotrienes are thought to cause many allergy and asthma symptoms, so blocking them with Singulair may help control your child's symptoms. Singulair is shown to help control children's allergy symptoms, including: SneezingStuffy noseRunny noseItchy nose What to Know About Singulair (Montelukast) for Asthma Child-Friendly Forms and How to Use Them 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) Oral granules and chewable tablets are the easiest for young kids who can't swallow pills and won't drink a liquid allergy medicine. You can dissolve the granules in a teaspoon of infant formula or breast milk. You can also mix them with a spoonful of soft food, such as baby food, applesauce, rice, or ice cream or put them directly in your child's mouth. It's a once-a-day medication, but children with asthma should take Singulair in the evening. Children with allergies can take it whenever it is convenient, preferably at about the same time each day. The Use of Singulair for Allergies Possible Side Effects of Singulair 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 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 healthcare provider right away if your child experiences any of the following potentially serious symptoms: Pins and needles or numbness in the arms or legsFlu-like illnessRashSevere 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. How Singulair Side Effects Could Possibly Affect Your Mental Health Summary The prescription medication Singulair is approved for use in children as young as 6 months. It can be used to treat allergies and asthma and is available in child-friendly forms such as oral granules and chewable tablets. Singulair may be a good option for treating your child's allergies if you are concerned about drowsiness as a side effect. This medication can have other side effects, however, such as stomach pain and upset, dizziness, and upper respiratory infection. 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Merck & Co., Inc. Patient information: Singulair. Sirois P. Leukotrienes: one step in our understanding of asthma. Respir Investig. 2019;57(2):97-110. doi:10.1016/j.resinv.2018.12.003 Merck & Co., Inc. Singulair (Montelukast Sodium). Winkel JS, Damkier P, Hallas J, Henriksen DP. Treatment with montelukast and antidepressive medication—a symmetry analysis. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2018;27(12):1409-15. doi:10.1002/pds.4638 By Vincent Iannelli, MD Vincent Iannelli, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit