Singulair Generic Montelukast Is Not Available OTC
Key takeaways:
Singulair and its generic version, montelukast, are used to treat certain types of allergies and asthma.
Singulair is usually only prescribed as an add-on treatment, meaning it’s not taken by itself. It’s usually used after you have tried other medications and need more treatment for your symptoms.
Singulair is available as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you save over 94% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies.
Seasonal allergies are a common problem for many people. Fortunately, there are easily accessible remedies to help with allergy symptoms. You can often find an effective medication over-the-counter (OTC). But some allergy medications, like Singulair (montelukast), are only available with a prescription.
When Singulair first came out in 1998, it was only available as a brand-name medication. In 2012, the FDA approved generic versions of Singulair. Generic medications are often less expensive than brand-name medications, which is true of Singulair.
In this article, we’ll review what you need to know about Singulair and its generic version, montelukast.
What is Singulair?
Singulair is a prescription medication used for asthma, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), and seasonal and perennial allergies. It is not as effective as inhalers at treating asthma and tends to be an add-on medication for people who need a little more breathing control.
For allergies, Singulair is only recommended after trying other treatments, including OTC medications.
How does Singulair work?
Singulair works differently than other common allergy medications. It is a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA), meaning that it works by blocking the action of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are signaling molecules in the body that trigger inflammation and allergic responses. Since Singulair blocks these effects, it can help control symptoms related to asthma or allergies.
Several of the other well-known allergy medications — such as Zyrtec (cetirizine), Claritin (loratadine), Allegra (fexofenadine), and Benadryl (diphenhydramine) — are antihistamines. These are available OTC, without a prescription.
Antihistamines are some of the most common allergy medications used. They are easy to access, low cost, and often effective.
Benadryl is used less often during the day because it causes you to be sleepy. (Some people even use it to help them get to sleep, even though it may not always be the best choice.) Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra are considered non-drowsy medications because they don’t don’t make you tired.
Can you get Singulair OTC?
Singulair is not available OTC, meaning you need a prescription from your healthcare provider before you can get it.
Since Singulair is a prescription medication, you should always take it as instructed by your healthcare provider. For OTC allergy medications, you can often choose how to take them, as long as you follow the directions on the product label. For example, you could take them only as needed for allergies or every day. However, each product has a recommended maximum dose that you shouldn’t exceed.
Despite these differences, Singulair is similar to other allergy medications in a lot of ways. It’s taken once a day, which is often the case for non-drowsy antihistamines. And both medication classes, LTRAs and antihistamines, are taken by mouth in pill form.
What’s the generic for Singulair?
The generic for Singulair is called montelukast and is considered to be equivalent to the brand-name version. It works the same way and is clinically considered to be the same thing.
Singular became available as a generic medication on August 6, 2012, about 14 years after its initial FDA approval. When a medication becomes available as a generic, it means that manufacturers can make the brand-name product but distribute it under the generic name.
As with most generics, there are lots of manufacturers that make montelukast. There are strict rules to follow when making medications, so it shouldn’t matter which manufacturer makes a batch of montelukast. The pills should all work the same and they all must meet high quality standards.
Like Singulair, montelukast is not available OTC. So you’d have to get a prescription from your healthcare provider before you can get it.
What are the side effects of Singulair?
As with all medications, Singulair has several side effects. The most common side effects of taking montelukast include:
Upper respiratory infections, such as influenza
Runny nose
Ear infections
Fever
Headache
Stomach pain
Sore throat
Cough
Diarrhea
If these side effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your healthcare provider.
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
Neuropsychiatric symptoms ( agitation, restlessness, sleeping problems, aggression, suicidal thoughts)
Systemic eosinophilia
Liver damage
Severe rash
In 2020, the FDA required a boxed warning to be placed on the label for Singulair about the risk of neuropsychiatric events. A boxed warning is the most serious type of warning that the FDA can require of a medication.
If you experience any neuropsychiatric symptoms with Singulair, you should stop taking the medication and let your healthcare provider know immediately.
Even though the risk of serious side effects from Singulair is low, you should still be cautious. The FDA recommends that for mild allergy symptoms, like a runny nose, you should use other medications, like OTC antihistamines. Your healthcare provider might consider prescribing Singulair if you have bothersome symptoms that are not controlled with OTC treatments.
How to save on Singulair
There are many ways to save on Singulair, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication.
Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over 94% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic Singulair at certain pharmacies is less than $11 with a free GoodRx discount.
Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Singulair’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.
Can you get generic Singulair without a prescription?
No, there is no OTC version of Singulair. Montelukast is the generic version of Singulair, but it still requires a prescription from your healthcare provider. This means you are not able to legally get the medication unless your healthcare provider prescribes it.
If you are looking for an OTC alternative to Singulair, talk to your healthcare provider. They may be able to recommend an OTC medication such as an antihistamine, nasal spray, or decongestant that could be effective at treating your symptoms.
The bottom line
Singulair is a LTRA medication that helps treat allergies and asthma. Montelukast is the generic form of Singulair and has been available since 2012. When used to treat either allergies or asthma, Singulair is usually an add-on treatment to what you are already taking.
Common side effects of Singulair include fever, cough, upper respiratory infections, and stomach pain or upset. Serious side effects include neuropsychiatric effects like agitation, irritability, and sleeping problems.
Both the brand-name and generic versions of Singulair are only available with a prescription, not OTC. There are other allergy medications that are available OTC, such as antihistamines, nose sprays, and decongestants. These are often helpful in treating allergies.
Why trust our experts?
References
Bryant Ranch Prepack. (2022). Montelukast [package insert].
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (n.d.). Facts about generic drugs.
Culpepper, L., et al. (2015). Over-the-counter agents for the treatment of occasional disturbed sleep or transient insomnia: A systematic review of efficacy and safety. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders.
Fierce Pharma. (2012). FDA approves first generic versions of Singulair to treat asthma, allergies.
Kuna, P., et al. (2016). The role and choice criteria of antihistamines in allergy management – Expert opinion. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology.
Scaparrotta, A., et al. (2012). Montelukast versus inhaled corticosteroids in the management of pediatric mild persistent asthma. Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). FDA requires stronger warning about risk of neuropsychiatric events associated with asthma and allergy medication Singulair and generic montelukast.
Wermuth, H. R., et al. (2021). Montelukast. StatPearls.
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