Aerokids

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Aerokids

Defining Aerokids: What Type of Medicine is It?

Property Description
Active ingredient Montelukast sodium (INN)
Form Oral Granules, Chewable Tablets (distinctive pediatric forms)
Pharmacological class Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist (LTRA)
Common use Prophylactic agent for respiratory conditions
Origin Synthetic compound

Aerokids is a specific pharmaceutical brand whose active ingredient is Montelukast sodium, functioning as a prescription-only, systemic treatment administered via the oral route. It is formally classified as a Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist (LTRA), a high-level pharmacological class that is widely recognized in clinical guidelines for its role in modulating certain inflammatory pathways.

The brand's composition features Montelukast, a synthetic compound, which enables targeted anti-inflammatory action. The LTRA classification is supported by pharmacological studies and clearly distinguishes this medicine from rescue therapies or traditional inhaled agents. The overall purpose of LTRAs is consistently recognized as providing maintenance therapy by addressing the specific inflammatory cascade triggered by leukotrienes.

Composition, Form, and General Therapeutic Role

The Aerokids brand is distinctly focused on the pediatric target audience, providing the active substance in easily managed oral forms. These forms include chewable tablets and oral granules, which are practical solutions for administration to children compared to standard film-coated tablets. This drug class is indicated for the long-term management of respiratory conditions in pediatric patients 12 months of age and older. Therefore, this is a preventive type of medication designed to be taken consistently as part of a long-term plan.

The general therapeutic role of this medication is to serve as a prophylactic agent through the consistent inhibition of leukotrienes. By blocking these inflammatory messengers, the treatment supports respiratory function by helping to mitigate the underlying swelling and the contraction of airway muscle tissue, contributing to sustained airway protection.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH Medical Monograph

What side effects are possible with Aerokids?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Aerokids (Montelukast sodium) is structured by regulatory authorities into frequency-classified categories and System-Organ Classes (SOCs), reflecting the established adverse reaction characteristics of the medicine. This profile defines the officially documented side effects and serious safety considerations.

Frequency and System-Organ Classes

The officially documented adverse reactions are grouped by the body system affected and classified by their expected rate of occurrence. Very Common reactions (1/10) include upper respiratory infection. Common reactions (1/100 to < 1/10) include headache and abdominal pain. Uncommon reactions may involve the nervous system (e.g., insomnia, dizziness) and the skin (e.g., rash), while Rare and Very Rare events may affect the immune system and the liver.

Serious Adverse Reactions and Safety Considerations

The regulatory label highlights the potential for serious neuropsychiatric adverse reactions, including agitation, depression, hostility, and, rarely, suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients receiving the treatment may also rarely experience systemic eosinophilia, which, in some cases, can present as Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome).

Safety notes include the formal contraindication for individuals with known hypersensitivity to the active substance or its components. Additionally, the medicine is not indicated for the relief of acute asthma attacks but is defined as maintenance therapy. The chewable tablet formulation also carries a specific safety note for patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) due to the presence of phenylalanine.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help: Official Regulatory Information for Aerokids

Official regulatory documents define the required actions and expected clinical profile following an overdose of Montelukast sodium (Aerokids).


Documented Manifestations and Scope

Overdoses have been reported in both adult and pediatric patients, with some cases involving exposures up to 1000 mg in children. In the majority of reported cases, no adverse reactions were documented.

When symptoms did occur, the clinical manifestations observed were consistent with the established safety profile, primarily affecting the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal system. Documented overdose presentations include abdominal pain, vomnolence (drowsiness), thirst, headache, vomiting, and psychomotor hyperactivity.


Required Emergency Actions

Immediate medical attention must be sought for any suspected overdose. Individuals should contact a healthcare practitioner, a hospital emergency department, or a regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if no symptoms are apparent.

Management of overexposure is strictly symptomatic and supportive. Regulatory information explicitly states that no specific antidote is known for Montelukast overdose. Furthermore, it is not established whether the active substance is removable by hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

Therapeutic Uses of Aerokids

What Aerokids Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Aerokids (Montelukast sodium) is generally applied in addressing symptoms arising from specific chronic and allergic inflammatory conditions in the airways. Its primary role is to provide sustained support for symptom management, which may support the maintenance of functional stability and assist in the management of episodic or fluctuating manifestations. The medication is commonly used across three key therapeutic domains involving heightened physiological activity.


The medication is commonly used to help with symptomatic relief across therapeutic domains, including conditions associated with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma, seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, and prophylaxis against exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). It is applied in addressing symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive, such as recurrent wheezing, chronic coughing, nasal congestion, and runny nose. This supportive role may assist with maintaining functional stability during phases when symptoms become more noticeable.

“The medication is used in situations involving certain distressing symptoms and generally contributes to easing the overall symptom load during recurrent episodes associated with inflammatory or irritative states.”

Quick Fact: Relief for Airway Inflammation

Aerokids is commonly used to help with symptoms that interfere with daily functioning and is relevant when supportive symptom management is appropriate for episodes triggered by physical exertion or allergic exposure. This supports general well-being during symptomatic phases.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who can and cannot use Aerokids?

This section outlines the official population eligibility and exclusion rules for Aerokids (Montelukast sodium), based strictly on government regulatory documents (e.g., FDA, EMA).


Contraindicated and Restricted Use

The medicine is contraindicated and must not be used by patients with a known prior hypersensitivity to the active substance, Montelukast sodium, or any of the formulation's excipients.

Population Group Eligibility Status (Regulatory Label)
Children under 12 months Not approved for asthma/perennial allergic rhinitis (FDA/EMA limits apply).
Severe Hepatic Impairment Caution advised; use is not established due to lack of formal study data.
Pregnancy / Lactation Conditional use; permitted only if deemed clearly necessary.
Renal Impairment Approved; no dosage adjustment is officially required.

Age-Specific Eligibility

The product is generally approved for pediatric patients aged 12 months and older for asthma and perennial allergic rhinitis, though some regulatory bodies approve asthma use from 6 months of age. For the acute prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, approval is limited to patients 6 years of age and older. Use in patients 65 years and older lacks sufficient data to determine if a differential response exists, but no age-specific dose change is required.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Aerokids is an over-the-counter preparation containing simethicone, a non-systemic agent with a low potential for drug interactions, as it is not absorbed into the bloodstream.

However, it is essential to be aware of potential interactions, particularly with certain medications. Simethicone may affect the absorption of other orally administered drugs, which could decrease their effectiveness.

Potential Drug Interactions

Drug Class or Specific Medicine Potential Interaction Recommendation
Levothyroxine (Thyroid Hormone) Simethicone may bind to levothyroxine in the digestive tract, potentially reducing its absorption and efficacy. Administer the medicines several hours apart to minimize interaction.
Other Oral Medications Simethicone may generally interfere with the absorption of other oral medicines. Consult a healthcare provider regarding the timing of all other oral medications, including supplements.

Other Considerations

No significant interactions with food or drinks, including alcohol, are known for simethicone. It is always recommended to inform a doctor or pharmacist of all current medications, including prescription, over-the-counter products, and herbal supplements, before starting Aerokids to ensure safe and effective use.

Mechanism of Action

How Aerokids Works

Targeting the CysLT1 Receptor

The fundamental action of Montelukast sodium is the high-affinity, selective antagonism (blockade) of the Cysteinyl Leukotriene Receptor type 1 ( CysLT1) in the airways. By binding to this receptor, the molecule prevents activation by endogenous inflammatory mediators ( LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4), thereby preventing the CysLT1-dependent initiation of cellular signaling.

Preventing Leukotriene-Mediated Contraction and Edema

Blockade of CysLT1 receptors prevents CysLT1-mediated smooth muscle contraction and increased vascular permeability. This antagonism results in a sustained state of smooth muscle relaxation and leads to diminished fluid extravasation and edema within the airway walls. The resulting physiological effect is the maintenance of airway caliber and reduced tissue swelling dependent on the CysLT1 pathway.

Mechanism Specificity and Limitations

Montelukast's effect is strictly limited to modulating the leukotriene pathway and does not interact with other major spasmogenic or inflammatory systems, such as those mediated by histamine or prostaglandins. The antagonism provides a prophylactic effect and is not suited for the immediate reversal of acute, severe smooth muscle spasm.

Dosage and Administration Information

Administration Guidelines: How to Use Aerokids

Instructions for the proper administration of Aerokids follow the established protocols for the product's use.

Component Administration Standards
Route of Administration Oral Administration
Dosing Schedule Administer the dose twice daily (BID), following a prescribed regimen
Timing in Relation to Meals May be taken independently of food intake (with or without a meal)
Preparation Requirements The liquid suspension product must be shaken vigorously before each measurement and administration
Age-Group Rules The specific dose volume is determined by the patient's age or weight and must adhere strictly to the pediatric dosing table
Missed-Dose Rules If a scheduled dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as remembered. However, if it is near the time for the next scheduled dose, the missed dose must be skipped. Patients must not take two doses at once

Procedural Structure

The use of this product follows a standardized sequence:

  1. Identify the correct dose based on the patient's age-specific or weight-based dosing criteria.
  2. Shake the container of oral suspension thoroughly for the specified duration (e.g., 5 to 10 seconds).
  3. Measure the exact prescribed liquid volume using only the calibrated measuring device supplied with the product.
  4. Administer the dose orally, adhering to the twice-daily frequency pattern.

These steps establish the protocol for the product's consumption, ensuring the dosage is received at the intended intervals as defined in the product documentation.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Aerokids


Evidence for Use in Managing Persistent Asthma

Research has examined Aerokids (Montelukast sodium) in conditions characterized by fluctuating or episodic manifestations, such as persistent asthma. The primary research consists of short-term, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs), along with systematic reviews. Research explored outcomes related to systemic or functional imbalance, such as lung function measurements ( FEV1), and patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort in children. Studies describe patterns observed in the measured function and symptom scores. Long-term effects are not fully established, and findings were mixed when comparing outcomes to those of other studied maintenance therapies across all measured outcomes.


Evidence for Use in Allergic Rhinitis (Seasonal and Perennial)

Research has explored Aerokids for allergic rhinitis (both seasonal and perennial types) primarily through short-to-medium-term RCTs. These trials evaluated changes in total nasal and eye symptom scores, and outcomes reflecting daily functioning. Data show patterns related to changes in symptoms compared to placebo. Research describes variation in reported symptom changes when compared to other studied treatments. Comparative evidence is lacking for certain symptom sets, and the sustained symptomatic change over multiple consecutive allergy seasons is not fully established.


Evidence for Use in Preventing Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB)

For exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), research relies on acute, single-dose, cross-over trials. These studies monitored the change in lung function (the drop in FEV1) following a standardized exercise challenge, providing insight into short-term changes. The findings describe patterns observed in the maximum drop in FEV1 in pediatric and adult populations. Research exploring a continuous, routine regimen for EIB is not fully established; the primary research assesses the acute protective effect of a single dose.


Evidence Gaps and Research Uncertainty

The majority of high-certainty evidence originates from short-term registration trials, meaning follow-up durations were limited when considering the chronic nature of the conditions. While the pediatric population is the key focus, data for older adults and individuals with more complex symptom presentations appear insufficient. Subgroup findings are uncertain concerning which individuals can be best identified as likely to experience measured changes, and research does not determine whether an individual will respond similarly to the group patterns described in the studies.

Key Studies & References Montelukast (Medical Monograph) - National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)

How should Aerokids be stored and disposed of?

Storage and Disposal of Aerokids (Montelukast Sodium)

The storage and handling of Aerokids (Montelukast sodium) must strictly adhere to the conditions specified in the official regulatory labeling to maintain the product's quality.

Official Storage Rules

Requirement Condition
Temperature Store below 30 C (or 25 C depending on the formulation).
Protection Keep protected from moisture and light.
Packaging Must remain in the original container or blister pack until the time of use.
Child Safety Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal

Unused or expired Aerokids must be disposed of according to local pharmaceutical waste regulations. It is generally mandated not to dispose of the product via wastewater or household trash, and it should instead be returned to a pharmacist or an authorized collection point.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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