Clear Air

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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 Clear Air

Property Description
Active ingredient Montelukast sodium
Form Oral tablets (film-coated, chewable) and granules
Pharmacological class Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist (LTRA)
Common purpose Prophylactic management of airway inflammation
Origin Synthetic, non-steroidal compound

What is Clear Air? Defining its Class and Composition

Clear Air is a prescription-only medication that belongs to the pharmacological class known as a Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist (LTRA). This drug, containing the active ingredient Montelukast sodium, is designed to selectively interfere with the inflammatory cascade in the respiratory system.

Montelukast is a synthetic, non-steroidal compound that represents a targeted therapeutic approach. Clear Air is administered orally and is available in three patient-friendly dosage forms: film-coated tablets, chewable tablets (often flavored for pediatric patients), and dissolvable oral granules. The availability of these distinct forms is intended to simplify administration across various age groups for long-term maintenance therapy.

How Does Montelukast Work at a High Level?

Montelukast works by performing a highly targeted blockage of inflammatory signals released naturally within the body, specifically by inhibiting the effects of potent substances called cysteinyl leukotrienes. These leukotrienes are chemical mediators critically involved in the pathology of airway inflammation and smooth muscle contraction. By selectively binding to the CysLT₁ receptor, Montelukast prevents the chemical cascade that leads to constriction and swelling. By preventing these leukotrienes from binding to receptors, the medication helps reduce symptoms associated with chronic airway disease.

What is the General Therapeutic Purpose of this LTRA?

The primary therapeutic purpose of Clear Air is to serve as prophylactic and maintenance therapy for long-term control of chronic airway conditions. Its mechanism of selective receptor antagonism supports the sustained reduction of underlying airway inflammation over time. This role as a therapeutic option for blocking pro-inflammatory signals makes it a foundational agent for continuous management.

Regulatory References

  1. National Library of Medicine (NIH)

What side effects are possible with Clear Air?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Clear Air (Montelukast sodium) is officially defined by regulatory bodies through classification by frequency and the physiological system affected. Adverse reactions are systematically grouped into System-Organ Classes (SOCs), which range across several body systems including Psychiatric Disorders, Nervous System Disorders, and Gastrointestinal Disorders.

Common adverse reactions, based on regulatory standards, include headache and abdominal pain. Effects classified as Uncommon may include increased bleeding tendency, seizures, and depression. Adverse events classified as Very Rare include suicidal thoughts and actions, hallucinations, and certain types of hepatitis.

Officially documented serious adverse reactions include potentially severe neuropsychiatric events, a risk highlighted by a regulatory Boxed Warning. In rare instances, patients have reported symptoms consistent with Churg-Strauss syndrome (eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis), particularly during the reduction of systemic corticosteroid therapy.

Safety-related restrictions mandate that Clear Air must not be used to treat an acute asthma attack and should not be abruptly substituted for inhaled or oral corticosteroids. The chewable tablets contain phenylalanine, a necessary safety disclosure for individuals with Phenylketonuria (PKU). The official safety documentation emphasizes that neuropsychiatric events have been reported both during treatment and, in some cases, after discontinuing the medicine.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

Official regulatory documents define the overdose profile for Clear Air (Montelukast sodium) based on symptoms reported following acute ingestion. It is essential to understand the documented manifestations and required emergency actions, which are summarized below.

Documented Manifestations of Overdose

Symptoms reported in clinical studies and post-marketing experience involving doses up to 1000 mg include signs affecting various systems:

  • Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain and vomiting.
  • Central Nervous System: Somnolence (drowsiness), headache, and psychomotor hyperactivity (agitation).
  • Other: Thirst.

Overdose has been reported in pediatric patients, with specific symptoms in children including abdominal pain and psychomotor hyperactivity.

Emergency Actions and Required Care

Urgent medical attention is required if an overdose is suspected; contact a poison control center or seek emergency medical help immediately. Treatment for Montelukast overdose is strictly symptomatic and supportive.

  • Antidote Status: The regulatory labeling explicitly states that no specific antidote is available for Montelukast overdose. Furthermore, it is not known if the substance is removable by dialysis.
  • Supportive Measures: Treatment involves employing standard supportive measures, which may include the use of activated charcoal if clinically indicated, and symptomatic care to manage the documented manifestations. The focus of management is on clinical observation and stabilization.

Therapeutic Uses of Clear Air

Quick Facts

  • Relief of Symptoms: Intended to help manage and ease common symptoms associated with seasonal allergies.
  • Condition Focus: Supports individuals with allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
  • Goal of Therapy: Designed to assist in maintaining baseline comfort and quality of life during allergy seasons.

Clear Air is an authorized therapy intended for the management of symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever. This medication may be used to provide relief from discomforts that accompany both seasonal and year-round environmental allergies.

The therapeutic purpose of Clear Air is to assist patients in addressing common manifestations of allergic response, such as sneezing, nasal discharge, and irritation of the eyes and throat. It may support the maintenance of everyday function during times of exposure to relevant allergens.

Treatment with this product is intended to assist in the overall symptomatic relief related to allergic inflammation. For comprehensive information on approved uses and regulatory oversight for this type of medication, please consult with a healthcare professional or relevant health authority guidelines.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility Map: Who can and cannot use Clear Air — Official Regulatory Information

Eligibility Scope Official Regulatory Statements
Populations for whom use is contraindicated: Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any component. Must not be used for the treatment of acute asthma attacks. Use is also prohibited for patients with rare hereditary conditions like galactose intolerance (due to tablet excipients).
Age-related eligibility rules: Approved for adults and adolescents 15 years and older. Minimum established age for asthma is 12 months; for Perennial Allergic Rhinitis (PAR), 6 months; and for Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (SAR), 2 years. Use is not established below these age thresholds.
Condition-specific eligibility rules: No dosage adjustment is recommended for patients with renal impairment or mild-to-moderate hepatic impairment. The chewable tablet form is restricted for patients with Phenylketonuria (PKU). Use is not established in cases of severe hepatic insufficiency.
Pregnancy and lactation eligibility status: Use during both pregnancy and lactation is permitted only if clearly essential, as defined by regulatory guidance.

Eligibility Classifications (High-Level)

Classification Detail Regulatory Definition
Eligibility severity classification: Contraindicated (Absolute prohibition); Restricted/Conditional Use (PKU, severe hepatic insufficiency); Use Not Established (Specific Pediatric age groups).
Regulatory basis: Information is based on official FDA Prescribing Information and EMA Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).

Connection to the overall eligibility profile: Official regulatory documents strictly define who can and cannot use this medicine by establishing absolute contraindications and setting precise minimum age thresholds specific to each labeled indication. The profile details conditional use limits concerning specific metabolic disorders (PKU) and organ function (severe hepatic insufficiency), ensuring use adheres to populations where regulatory data supports its application.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Clear Air Interactions with other medicines and products

This section summarizes officially documented interactions for Clear Air (Montelukast sodium), based strictly on government regulatory information.


Pharmacokinetic Interactions

Interacting Substance Official Interaction Description
Gemfibrozil (CYP 2C8/2C9 Inhibitor) Increases Montelukast systemic exposure (AUC) by 4.4-fold.
Rifampicin, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital (CYP Inducers) May decrease Montelukast plasma concentration and therapeutic effect; use with caution.
Itraconazole Co-administration does not result in a clinically significant increase in Montelukast exposure.
Theophylline, Warfarin, Digoxin Montelukast has no clinically important effect on the pharmacokinetics of these co-administered products.

Restrictions and Food Interactions

Interaction Type Regulatory Restriction/Constraint
Contraindicated Combination Co-administration is prohibited with other products containing the active ingredient Montelukast.
Pharmacodynamic Constraint Patients with known aspirin sensitivity must continue to avoid aspirin and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents (NSAIDs).
Food Constraint A high-fat meal decreases the peak plasma concentration ( C max) of the oral granule formulation by approximately 35%.
Population Note Caution should be exercised, particularly in children, when co-administering Montelukast with CYP enzyme inducers.

The regulatory profile defines the drug's interaction structure around metabolic pathways (CYP enzymes), where strong inhibitors increase exposure and strong inducers may decrease it. The profile establishes explicit constraints against combining with other Montelukast products and specifies avoidance rules for aspirin in sensitive individuals.

Mechanism of Action

Targeting the CysLT1 Receptor Cascade

The drug functions as a selective competitive antagonist at the Cysteinyl Leukotriene Receptor Type 1 ( CysLT1), physically occupying the receptor’s binding site. This direct molecular interference prevents potent inflammatory mediators, specifically Leukotriene D4 ( LTD4), from initiating their signal transduction cascade. This action functionally suppresses the pathway's signaling at its earliest molecular step.


Modulating Airway Muscle Tone and Edema

By blocking CysLT1 receptors on airway smooth muscle cells and vascular endothelial cells, the drug suppresses two primary physiological responses of LTD4: smooth muscle contraction and increased vascular permeability. This dual modulation results in a reduced level of LTD4-induced smooth muscle contraction and decreases cysLT-mediated fluid leakage and subsequent tissue edema in the bronchial walls.


Sustained Anti-inflammatory Effect

The continuous antagonism of the CysLT1 receptor also limits the cellular response aspects of inflammation. The mechanism modulates the signaling that promotes the recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells, particularly eosinophils, within the respiratory tract. This sustained inhibition of the cellular phase of the cascade results in a reduced burden of activated inflammatory cells within the airways.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Clear Air: Official Administration Guidelines

Clear Air (Montelukast sodium) is structured for continuous, once-daily oral administration as established for this medication. The medication is available in three distinct forms to facilitate use across various age groups: a 10 mg film-coated tablet, 5 mg and 4 mg chewable tablets, and 4 mg oral granules.


Administration by Dosing Regimen

The standard usage principle is that the dose is determined by the patient’s age. Adults and adolescents aged 15 years and older are administered a 10 mg dose once daily. For children, the labeled dosage ranges from 5 mg (ages 6 to 14 years) down to 4 mg (ages 6 months to 5 years).


Frequency and Timing

For patients receiving the medication for chronic airway conditions, the daily dose is typically administered in the evening to maintain a consistent usage pattern. When the medication is used solely for allergic rhinitis, the daily dose timing may be individualized. In the specific context of Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB) prevention, a separate, single dose is authorized for administration at least two hours before physical activity. An additional dose must not be taken within 24 hours if the patient is already receiving a daily regimen.


Practical Administration Conditions

The 10 mg film-coated tablets may be taken with or without food. Instructions advise that the chewable tablets be taken either one hour before or two hours after a meal. The 4 mg oral granules must be administered promptly—specifically within 15 minutes of opening the sachet—and may be mixed with cold or room temperature soft food, breast milk, or formula. If a scheduled daily dose is missed, the standard protocol is for the patient to take the next dose at the regular time and not to double the dose.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Clear Air


Evidence for Prophylactic Management of Persistent Asthma

Research was evaluated in research involving individuals with conditions where symptoms may vary in intensity, such as persistent asthma. The evidence base includes numerous Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and Systematic Reviews that combine data from many individual studies. Researchers monitored objective measures of lung function (FEV1 and PEFR) and patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort (asthma symptom scores and frequency of exacerbations).

Data show patterns related to outcomes linked to inflammatory states that differed from those seen in the placebo groups. However, research was observed in settings evaluating the medicine alongside other studied therapies, and the findings were mixed. Research does not determine whether an individual will respond similarly and evidence suggests that the observed patterns may vary widely among different individuals.


Evidence for Symptom Management of Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)

Clear Air was evaluated in research exploring its outcomes capturing phases of heightened symptom activity such as Seasonal and Perennial Allergic Rhinitis. Outcomes related to physical discomfort was studied for Total Nasal Symptom Scores and quality of life questionnaires. Trials were conducted during periods of increased symptom activity to assess its effect on short-term symptom changes.

Findings describe patterns observed in the studies where symptom scores was observed in distinct ways between the group receiving the medicine and the placebo group over short periods. Regulatory reviews of this research indicate that for allergic rhinitis, research often focused on individuals with inadequate response or intolerance to other studied therapies.


What Remains Uncertain About the Research for Clear Air

A key limitation is the observed heterogeneity (variability) across studies. Long-term effects are not fully established, and follow-up durations were limited in many key trials. Furthermore, comparative evidence is lacking for many direct head-to-head comparisons against every alternative treatment.

Key Studies & References

  1. Label: MONTELUKAST tablet, film coated - DailyMed (Full prescribing information/label)
  2. Montelukast: Public Assessment Report Decentralised Procedure (Comprehensive EU regulatory assessment)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Clear Air (FAQ)

Q: What is Clear Air?

A: Clear Air is a prescription medication used to treat symptoms of allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever. It belongs to a class of drugs called antihistamines that help block a substance in the body called histamine, which causes allergy symptoms.

Q: What are the main side effects of Clear Air?

A: The most common side effects of Clear Air include drowsiness or fatigue, headache, and dry mouth. Some people may also experience dizziness or nausea. These side effects are usually mild and often go away as your body adjusts to the medication. If side effects persist or become bothersome, speak with your healthcare provider.

Q: Can I take Clear Air if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

A: If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, you should talk to your healthcare provider before taking Clear Air. The safety of using Clear Air during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been fully established, and your provider can help you weigh the potential benefits against the risks.

Q: How should I take Clear Air?

A: Clear Air is typically taken once daily by mouth. It can be taken with or without food. You should always follow the specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider or pharmacist, and never take more than the prescribed dose. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet; swallow it whole.

Q: What should I do if I miss a dose of Clear Air?

A: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one. If you are unsure, consult your healthcare provider.

Q: Can I drink alcohol while taking Clear Air?

A: It is generally not recommended to drink alcohol while taking Clear Air, as it can increase the risk of drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination. Alcohol can intensify the central nervous system effects of this medication, making it unsafe to drive or operate heavy machinery.

Q: How long does it take for Clear Air to start working?

A: Clear Air generally starts working to relieve allergy symptoms within one to three hours after taking a dose. The full effects and maximum relief are usually experienced within a few days of consistent use.

Q: What other medications should I avoid while taking Clear Air?

A: You should inform your healthcare provider about all prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking. Medications that also cause drowsiness, such as sedatives, tranquilizers, or other antihistamines, should be avoided as they can increase the risk of severe drowsiness and impairment.

How should Clear Air be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Clear Air? (Official Regulatory Information)

Storage Condition Type Requirement Summary (Official Labeling)
Temperature & Protection Store at Controlled Room Temperature, typically between 20 C and 25 C. The product must be protected from both light and moisture to maintain stability.
Packaging & Integrity The medicine must be kept in its original container (bottle or blister) and outer carton. If dispensed in a bottle, the container must be kept tightly closed when not in use.
Stability & Handling Clear Air oral granules must be administered immediately (within 15 minutes) after the sachet is opened and must not be stored after mixing with food. The contents of an opened bottle have a defined 30-day in-use shelf life for certain formulations.
Disposal Requirements Any unused or expired medicine must be disposed of in accordance with local regulations and pharmacy take-back programs. Unless specifically directed, the product should not be disposed of via household wastewater.
Child Safety The medication must be kept out of the sight and reach of children at all times.

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

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