Singulair is a leukotriene receptor antagonist and Allegra is an antihistamine. Only one type of this drug, montelukast (Singulair), is approved for treating hay fever. Singulair is also used to treat asthma and to prevent exercise-induced narrowing of the airways. © 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Singulair is indicated for the prevention and chronic treatment of asthma and for the relief of symptoms of allergic rhinitis, both seasonal and perennial. Aypak C, Türedi Ö, Solmaz N, Yıkılkan H, Görpelioğlu S. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis include sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. This is why allergen avoidance and medication is key to controlling allergic rhinitis. Along with its needed effects, montelukast (the active ingredient contained in Singulair… Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Singulair.. For the Consumer. announced late last week that the allergy and asthma drug montelukast, sold under the brand named Singulair, will carry a new boxed warning. With medication, doctors use a step-up approach, meaning as symptoms worsen, a doctor will prescribe a different medication. Singulair, by itself, is not a great treatment for allergic rhinitis and asthma, although it can treat both diseases to some degree.Singular seems to be best at treating nasal congestion.Various studies have also shown that the combination of Singular and an antihistamine is nearly as effective as nasal steroid sprays for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.Singulair doesn't always work as well as antihistamines when it comes to Unlike antihistamines, Singulair can't be taken as needed. Note: This document contains side effect information about montelukast. To back up a bit, remember, seasonal allergic rhinitis is generally triggered by pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds.2 In other words, a person with seasonal allergic rhinitis will develop symptoms predictably every year around spring and summer when polle… This oral medication relieves allergy signs and symptoms including nasal congestion, runny nose and sneezing. As spring starts to arrive in most places, warmer weather also brings a less-welcome new arrival: pollen.While others get to enjoy the change of weather and blossoming trees, people with allergies deal with stuffy noses, watery eyes, and congested sinuses.There are a number of allergy drugs that can help make spring more enjoyable. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Alternative Medications to Singulair Generic Singulair. A leukotriene inhibitor is a prescription medication that blocks symptom-causing chemicals called leukotrienes. It typically needs about three to seven days to start working. Be sure to talk to your primary care doctor or allergist about your treatment plan if your symptoms are not getting better and/or they are affecting your quality of life. In addition to these burdensome physical symptoms, allergic rhinitis may affect other dimensions of a person's life. Other medication options include steroid nasal sprays, over-the-counter nasal sprays, oral decongestants, combination decongestant antihistamines, and anticholinergic and antihistamine nasal sprays. According to the University of Massachusetts Medical School, a generic version of Singulair is... Accolate. All rights reserved. He is an assistant clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and currently practices at Central Coast Allergy and Asthma in Salinas, California.The Best Ways to Manage Allergies With Natural RemediesIs Flonase or Nasacort More Effective for Treating Spring Hay Fever?Learn What the Different Seasonal Allergies Are and How to Treat ThemDo You Take an Antihistamine for Your Nasal Allergies? For example, for mild symptoms of allergic rhinitis, a doctor may recommend an antihistamine.