NSTK · 01.2026Independent supplement reference
NutriStack
Edition 1.0Updated July 13, 2026

Montelukast

Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026

A leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) used for the maintenance treatment of asthma, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, and allergic rhinitis. Blocks cysteinyl leukotriene receptor CysLT1, reducing inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus secretion. While effective, it is generally less potent than inhaled corticosteroids as monotherapy for asthma. Carries an FDA black box warning for neuropsychiatric events. The decision to prescribe should weigh benefits against the risk of these events.

Evidence tier
Strong
Indexed sources
10 2023–2025
Interactions
0
Category
Prescription
Read the sources → Compare profiles
Publication status

Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.

See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.

This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.

In short

What the research says.

A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.

A leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) used for the maintenance treatment of asthma, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, and allergic rhinitis. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is Adults and adolescents >=15 years: 10 mg once daily in the evening; children 6-14 years: 5 mg chewable; children 2-5 years: 4 mg chewable or granules (as prescribed by your physician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 10 sources.

What it's good for
  • Maintenance treatment of persistent asthma3,4
  • Prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction
  • Symptomatic relief of allergic rhinitis (seasonal and perennial)4,5
  • Once-daily oral dosing (convenient, especially for children)1
  • Alternative controller for patients unable to use ICS
What to watch for
  • Headache
  • Abdominal pain
  • Thirst
  • Known hypersensitivity to montelukast or any component1,2
  • Not for treatment of acute asthma attacks or acute bronchospasm3,4

The bottom line

Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: maintenance treatment of persistent asthma, prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, symptomatic relief of allergic rhinitis (seasonal and perennial). 10 sources indexed (2023–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.

The science

How it works, mechanistically.

Core mechanism

Selectively and competitively binds to the cysteinyl leukotriene type 1 receptor (CysLT1), blocking the actions of leukotrienes C4, D4, and E4. These leukotrienes are potent pro-inflammatory mediators released from mast cells, eosinophils, and other cells via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism. Their effects include bronchoconstriction (1000x more potent than histamine), increased vascular permeability, mucus hypersecretion, and eosinophil recruitment. By blocking CysLT1, montelukast reduces all these downstream effects.7

Class
Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist
Dosing

Dosing & protocol.

Common range
Adults and adolescents >=15 years: 10 mg once daily in the evening; children 6-14 years: 5 mg chewable; children 2-5 years: 4 mg chewable or granules (as prescribed by your physician)
Recommended form
Oral tablets (film-coated), chewable tablets, or oral granules

Rapidly absorbed with approximately 64% bioavailability (film-coated tablet). Food does not affect the film-coated tablet. Take in the evening for asthma; any time of day for allergic rhinitis. Chewable tablets should not be swallowed whole.

Safety

Full safety detail.

Side effects

  • Headache
  • Abdominal pain
  • Thirst
  • Upper respiratory infection symptoms
  • Neuropsychiatric events (agitation, aggression, anxiousness, depression, disorientation, dream abnormalities, hallucinations, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, suicidal thinking and behavior, tremor, BLACK BOX WARNING)
  • Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss, rare)

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to montelukast or any component1,2
  • Not for treatment of acute asthma attacks or acute bronchospasm3,4
  • Patients with active neuropsychiatric symptoms (careful risk-benefit assessment required)10
  • Phenylketonuria (chewable tablets contain aspartame/phenylalanine)
Sources

Sources, by evidence tier.

Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.

Meta-analyses & systematic reviews

5

Reference material

5
FAQ

Common questions.

Quick answers about Montelukast, drawn from the data on this page.

What is Montelukast?

A leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) used for the maintenance treatment of asthma, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, and allergic rhinitis. Blocks cysteinyl leukotriene receptor CysLT1, reducing inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus secretion. While effective, it is generally less potent than inhaled corticosteroids as monotherapy for asthma. Carries an FDA black box warning for neuropsychiatric events. The decision to prescribe should weigh benefits against the risk of these events.

What is Montelukast used for?

Commonly cited benefits of Montelukast include: Maintenance treatment of persistent asthma; Prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction; Symptomatic relief of allergic rhinitis (seasonal and perennial); Once-daily oral dosing (convenient, especially for children); Alternative controller for patients unable to use ICS. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.

What is a typical dose of Montelukast?

A typical adult dose of Montelukast is Adults and adolescents >=15 years: 10 mg once daily in the evening; children 6-14 years: 5 mg chewable; children 2-5 years: 4 mg chewable or granules (as prescribed by your physician). The commonly recommended form is Oral tablets (film-coated), chewable tablets, or oral granules. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.

What are the side effects of Montelukast?

Reported side effects include headache, abdominal pain, thirst, upper respiratory infection symptoms, neuropsychiatric events (agitation, aggression, anxiousness, depression, disorientation, dream abnormalities, hallucinations, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, suicidal thinking and behavior, tremor, black box warning), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (churg-strauss, rare). This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.

How strong is the evidence for Montelukast?

NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.

Use this with your stack

Montelukast in NutriStack.

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NutriStack is an informational and organizational tool, not a medical service, and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.