Singulair Approved for Exercise-Induced Asthma

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the Merck asthma and allergy drug Singulair (montelukast sodium) for people aged 15 and older who experience asthma symptoms during exercise.
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<p>Symptoms of the condition, medically known as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and chest tightness.</p>
<p>In clinical testing involving 160 people, those who took a 10-milligram dose of Singulair two hours before exercise showed a significant reduction in symptoms compared with those who took a placebo, Merck said in a statement.</p>
<p>People who already take Singulair daily for other reasons, including chronic asthma, should never take an additional dose before exercise, the company warned.</p>
<p>Side effects reported during clinical testing included headache, ear infection, sore throat and upper respiratory infection.</p>
<p>Singulair is already approved to treat asthma in people 1 year and older, and for seasonal allergy symptoms in adults and children 2 years and older.<br /><br /><br />Source: <strong>HealthDay News</strong><br /></p>