Montelukast 10 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Preventing asthma symptoms and attacks, as an add-on to inhalers; Allergic rhinitis – sneezing, runny or blocked nose, especially with asthma.
Listed MRPs range from ₹1.86 to ₹17.68 per tablet across 8 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montelukast Sodium Tablets IP 10mgJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 10 | ₹18.57 | ₹1.86 | 19 October 2026 |
| Montina 10 | Aristo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹46.17 | ₹4.62 | 19 October 2026 |
| Ventair 10 | Kopran Ltd | 10 | ₹167.40 | ₹16.74 | 19 October 2026 |
| Romilast 10 | RPG Life Sciences Ltd | 15 | ₹263.20 | ₹17.55 | 19 October 2026 |
| Odimont 10 | Zydus Cadila | 10 | ₹175.61 | ₹17.56 | 19 October 2026 |
| Montek 10 | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd | 10 | ₹176.65 | ₹17.66 | 19 October 2026 |
| Telekast 10 | Lupin Ltd | 10 | ₹176.65 | ₹17.66 | 19 October 2026 |
| Montair 10 | Cipla Ltd | 15 | ₹265.22 | ₹17.68 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Preventing asthma symptoms and attacks, as an add-on to inhalers.
- Allergic rhinitis – sneezing, runny or blocked nose, especially with asthma.
- Preventing exercise-induced asthma.
- Often combined with an antihistamine (levocetirizine or fexofenadine) for allergic symptoms.
How to take it
Take one 10 mg tablet once a day in the evening, with or without food, swallowed whole with water. Take it every day even when you feel well – it works by preventing inflammation in the airways and only works while you keep taking it. If you take it for exercise-induced asthma, your doctor may suggest taking it 2 hours before exercise instead; never take more than one dose a day. Montelukast is a preventer and will not stop an attack that has started – use your salbutamol reliever inhaler for that. Do not stop without talking to your doctor. Tell your doctor straight away about any change in mood, sleep or behaviour.
Side effects
Common
- Headache – usually fades after the first week.
- Stomach pain, diarrhoea or nausea.
- High temperature.
- Mild rash.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Mood and behaviour changes – anxiety, depression, aggression, agitation, hallucinations – or thoughts of self-harm. Stop and contact your doctor at once.
- Sleep problems – nightmares, sleepwalking, insomnia.
- Shaking, new stammering, or an unusual or fast heartbeat.
- Flu-like illness with numbness or tingling in the limbs, worsening asthma and rash – a rare blood vessel inflammation.
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes – liver problems.
Safety information
Alcohol
No direct interaction, but alcohol can worsen asthma in some people and adds to mood and sleep effects. Keep it moderate.
Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Montelukast is generally continued in pregnancy when it is controlling asthma, as uncontrolled asthma is riskier; the decision is your doctor's.
Kidney problems
No dose change is needed in kidney disease.
Liver problems
No dose change is usually needed in mild liver disease; tell your doctor about severe liver problems.
Children
The 10 mg tablet is for ages 15 and above. Children 6 to 14 take a 5 mg chewable tablet, and 2 to 5 take 4 mg chewable or granules, on prescription. Children can also get mood and sleep side effects – watch for them.
Missed dose
Skip the missed dose and take the next one the following evening. Do not take two doses in one day.
Interactions
- Phenytoin and phenobarbital (epilepsy medicines) – reduce montelukast's effect.
- Rifampicin (for TB) – reduces montelukast levels.
- Gemfibrozil (cholesterol medicine) – raises montelukast levels.
- Aspirin, ibuprofen and other NSAIDs – avoid if they have ever worsened your asthma; paracetamol is fine.
- Antihistamines (levocetirizine, fexofenadine) – commonly combined on purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Montair 10 morning or night?
At night. Montelukast is taken once a day in the evening, which fits the pattern of asthma and allergy symptoms being worse at night and early morning.
Montair 10 vs Montair LC – what is the difference?
Montair 10 contains only montelukast. Montair LC adds levocetirizine, an antihistamine, for sneezing, runny nose and itching. Montair LC can cause drowsiness because of the antihistamine; Montair 10 generally does not.
Can I take Montair 10 with alcohol?
There is no direct interaction, but alcohol can trigger asthma in some people and may add to mood and sleep side effects. Keep it moderate.
Does montelukast cause mood changes or bad dreams?
Yes, in some people. Anxiety, depression, agitation, nightmares and sleepwalking have been reported in adults and children. Tell your family you are on it and contact your doctor straight away if you notice any change in mood, sleep or behaviour.
Is Montek 10 a steroid?
No. Montelukast blocks leukotrienes, chemicals that inflame the airways. It is not a steroid and does not have steroid side effects.
Can Montair 10 be used during an asthma attack?
No. It is a preventer that works over days. During an attack use your salbutamol reliever inhaler (Asthalin) and seek help if it does not settle.
Is montelukast safe in pregnancy?
It is usually continued in pregnancy if it is needed to control asthma, since uncontrolled asthma is more dangerous for the baby. Tell your doctor so they can review your asthma plan.
How long does montelukast take to work?
Some benefit is seen within a day, but the full preventive effect takes a few weeks of daily use. Keep taking it even when you feel well.
Montelukast dose for a child?
Children 6 to 14 take a 5 mg chewable tablet and children 2 to 5 take 4 mg chewable tablets or granules, once in the evening, on a doctor's prescription. The 10 mg tablet is for ages 15 and above.
Sources
- NHS – Montelukast (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms