Aerokast Tab 5 Mg 2×7’s-Potential Overview:

Brand Name: Aerokast
Generic Name: Montelukast Sodium
Active Ingredient(s): Montelukast 5 mg

For the General Public:

Uses:
Aerokast is used to:

• Prevent and manage asthma symptoms, including wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
• Treat allergic rhinitis (seasonal or perennial) to relieve symptoms like a runny or itchy nose and sneezing.
• Prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (difficulty breathing during or after exercise).

Dosage:

• Adults and Children (6-14 years): One tablet (5 mg) daily in the evening.
• Can be taken with or without food.

Possible Side Effects:

• Common Side Effects: Headache, abdominal pain, fatigue, dizziness, or sore throat.
• Serious (Less Common) Side Effects:
  • Mood or behavioral changes, including anxiety, depression, or agitation.
  • Severe allergic reactions (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing).

Important Information:

• Dosage Instruction: Take only as prescribed by your doctor. Do not double up if a dose is missed.
• Usage Instruction: Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not chew or crush.
• General Information:
  • Avoid using this medication to treat acute asthma attacks; use a rescue inhaler instead.
  • Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have liver issues.

Drug Interactions:

• Interactions with Other Medications: Rifampin, phenobarbital, and phenytoin may reduce the effectiveness of montelukast.
• Interactions with Food: No significant food interactions reported.

Regulatory Approval & Manufacturer:
Approved by [regulatory body], manufactured by [manufacturer name].

Antidotes (If Overdose or Misuse by Patients):
There is no specific antidote. Symptomatic and supportive treatment should be provided.

For Pharmacists:

Medicine Name: Aerokast
Brand: Aerokast
Active Ingredient(s): Montelukast Sodium 5 mg

Indications:

• Management of chronic asthma and prevention of asthma symptoms.
• Treatment of allergic rhinitis.
• Prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

Pharmacodynamics:

• Mechanism of Action:
  Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) that blocks the cysteinyl leukotriene type-1 (CysLT1) receptors in the airway, preventing inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus production caused by leukotrienes.
• Pharmacological Effects:
  • Reduces airway inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity.
  • Relieves symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
• Receptor Binding:
  Selectively binds to CysLT1 receptors, preventing leukotrienes from exerting their pro-inflammatory effects.

Pharmacokinetics:

• Absorption: Rapidly absorbed; peak plasma levels reached within 2-4 hours.
• Distribution: Extensively bound to plasma proteins (~99%).
• Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver via CYP3A4, CYP2C8, and CYP2C9 enzymes.
• Elimination: Primarily excreted in bile.
• Half-Life: 2.7 to 5.5 hours.
• Effect of Food: Food does not significantly affect the absorption or efficacy of the drug.

Dosage and Administration:

• Adults and Children (6-14 years): 5 mg once daily in the evening.
• Special Populations:
  • Elderly: No dosage adjustment needed.
  • Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; monitor liver function.

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity to montelukast or any of its components.

Warnings and Precautions:

• Monitor for neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as mood changes or suicidal thoughts.
• Not indicated for acute asthma attacks; a short-acting bronchodilator should be used instead.

Drug-Drug Interactions:

• Rifampin and phenobarbital may reduce plasma concentrations of montelukast.

Drug-Food Interactions:

• No significant interactions reported.

Adverse Reactions:

• Common: Headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, fatigue.
• Serious: Neuropsychiatric symptoms, severe allergic reactions.

Therapeutic Effects:

• Effectively prevents asthma symptoms and improves breathing by reducing airway inflammation and reactivity.

Storage:
Store at 15-30°C in a cool, dry place, away from moisture and heat.

Packaging:
Available as chewable tablets in blister packs of 14 tablets (2×7’s).

Clinical Considerations:

• Pregnancy Category: B (use if clearly needed).
• Lactation Category: Limited data; consult a healthcare provider.
• Pediatric Category: Approved for children aged 6-14 years.
• Geriatric Category: Generally well-tolerated; no specific adjustments required.

Conclusion:

Aerokast Tab 5 mg is an effective option for managing asthma and allergic rhinitis in children and adults. It is well-tolerated with a convenient once-daily dosing schedule. Patients should be informed about the importance of adherence and the need for an alternative rescue medication for acute symptoms. Pharmacists should monitor for potential drug interactions and educate patients on proper usage and storage for optimal outcomes.