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Compare Singulair vs. Flovent

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Montelukast (Singulair) and Flovent (fluticasone) are both used to manage asthma, but they work in different ways and have different uses. Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist taken orally, while Flovent is an inhaled corticosteroid. Montelukast is used for long-term asthma treatment, exercise-induced asthma prevention, and year-round or seasonal allergies management. It is taken once daily. In contrast, Flovent is used specifically for the maintenance treatment of asthma and must be inhaled twice daily. Montelukast is available in various forms, including tablets, chewable tablets, and granules, making it suitable for children and those who have trouble with inhalers. Flovent, on the other hand, comes in two types of inhalers: HFA and Diskus. Both montelukast and Flovent are not suitable for treating sudden asthma attacks. Flovent requires you to rinse your mouth after each use to prevent fungal infections, a step not needed with montelukast. Additionally, montelukast has a risk of serious mental health side effects, whereas Flovent can cause throat irritation and potential growth delays in children.

  • Montelukast (Singulair)
    Flovent (fluticasone)
  • Montelukast (Singulair)
    Flovent (fluticasone)

  • Summary of Singulair vs. Flovent

    Summary for Leukotriene receptor antagonist
    Prescription only

    Montelukast (Singulair) is an oral medication used for allergies. It's also used for the long-term treatment of asthma and prevention of exercise-induced asthma. This medication can't be used for a sudden asthma attack, since it takes a longer time to work compared to some inhalers. It's usually an add-on treatment for asthma that might be hard to control.

    Summary for Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)
    Prescription only

    Flovent (fluticasone) is an inhaled corticosteroid medication used in people 4 years and older with asthma. It helps keep lung inflammation low and the airways open. This inhaler is used twice per day. When used every day, Flovent (fluticasone) can lower the number and severity of asthma attacks. It's not a rescue inhaler, so it won't help an asthma attack that has already started.

  • Indications of Singulair vs. Flovent

    Indications for
    •Seasonal allergies
    •Year-round allergies
    •Asthma
    •Exercise-induced asthma
    Indications for
    •Maintenance treatment of asthma

  • Pros and Cons of Singulair vs. Flovent

    Pros and Const for Leukotriene receptor antagonist
    Pros
    •Only need to take once a day
    •Available as chewable tablets or granules for some children and their condition
    •Good option for children or those who have difficulty with inhalers
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Might cause serious mental health disturbances (including aggressive behavior, hallucinations, distress, and vivid dreams)
    •Can't use for an emergency asthma attack like rescue inhalers
    •Must take at least 2 hours before exercise to prevent exercise-induced asthma
    Pros and Const for Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)
    Pros
    •Works well to prevent and lower asthma symptoms
    •Has few side effects since the medication is directly inhaled into the lungs
    •Available as two different types of inhalers (HFA inhaler and Diskus inhaler)
    •Lower-cost generic available for Flovent HFA
    Cons
    •Need to use twice per day
    •Need to rinse your mouth after each use to prevent fungal infection in the mouth (thrush)
    •Can't use to treat active asthma attacks
    •Can't use Flovent Diskus if you're allergic to milk proteins since it contains lactose

  • Common Side Effects of Singulair vs. Flovent

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache
    •Fever
    •Influenza-like symptoms
    •Sore throat
    •Cough
    •Runny nose
    •Sinus inflammation
    •Belly pain
    •Heartburn
    •Diarrhea
    Common Side Effects for

    In general, common side effects for Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus are very similar:

    •Throat irritation
    •Upper respiratory tract infection (e.g., common cold)
    •Sinus infection or swelling
    •Headache
    •Cough
    •Voice hoarseness or difficulty speaking

  • Warnings of Singulair vs. Flovent

    Common Side Effects for
    •Mental health disturbances
    •Not for asthma attacks
    •High white blood cell counts
    •Chewable tablets not for people with phenylketonuria (PKU)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Fungal infection in the mouth
    •Narrowing of your airways (bronchospasm)
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Altered stress hormone levels
    •Delayed growth in children
    •Eye and vision problems

  • Prices with our coupons for Singulair vs. Flovent

    Learn more about Montelukast
    Learn more about Flovent

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