Medication
Montelukast During Pregnancy: Singulair and Asthma
Published 2026-07-22 | By SafeMama Editorial Team | Editorial policy
Short answer
Montelukast, sold as Singulair, can be used during pregnancy when asthma control needs it, but the decision should stay with the clinician managing your breathing plan. NHS guidance says it can be taken in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. MotherToBaby says available information has not suggested an increased chance of birth defects above the background risk, but uncontrolled asthma can also affect pregnancy. Do not stop montelukast suddenly without medical advice.
Clinician-guided asthma/allergy plan
Montelukast in pregnancy: how to think about it
Asthma control matters in pregnancy. NHS and BUMPS guidance both frame montelukast as usable in pregnancy when it is needed for asthma control. MotherToBaby reports that available information has not suggested an increased birth-defect risk above the background risk, but some studies are hard to interpret because asthma severity itself can affect pregnancy outcomes. FDA requires a boxed warning for serious mental-health side effects with montelukast, so mood and sleep symptoms deserve prompt clinician review.
Checking a different medicine? The Pregnancy Medication Safety Hub collects all 154 SafeMama medicine guides, including the active-ingredient and dose questions worth raising with a pharmacist.
Montelukast: safer choices
- Contact your asthma, allergy or pregnancy clinician if you become pregnant while taking montelukast.
- Keep a written asthma plan that covers daily controller medicines, rescue inhaler use, peak-flow or symptom tracking if used, and when to seek urgent care.
- Ask about breastfeeding if you plan to continue montelukast after delivery. NHS guidance says it can be taken while breastfeeding.
- Check non-US brands carefully. Some LC-style allergy products combine montelukast with an antihistamine such as levocetirizine, so the answer is not always montelukast-only.
Montelukast: what to avoid or double-check
- Avoid stopping asthma controller medicines abruptly because breathing problems can be dangerous in pregnancy.
- Avoid using montelukast as a substitute for urgent care during wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, blue lips, low oxygen readings or a rescue inhaler that is not helping.
- Avoid ignoring new or worsening agitation, sleep problems, anxiety, depression, behavior changes, suicidal thoughts or other unusual mood symptoms after starting or changing montelukast.
- Avoid assuming Singulair, Montek LC, Montair LC, Montel, Montika or other brand names contain only montelukast. Check the active ingredients.
How SafeMama helps
SafeMama can flag montelukast, Singulair, Montek LC, Montair LC, Montel, Montika, levocetirizine combinations, asthma-controller labels, rescue inhaler questions, allergy medicines and mental-health warning language for clinician follow-up.
Open the SafeMama app, scan the barcode or search the ingredient, then use the result as a starting point for a conversation with your healthcare provider.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Is Singulair the same as montelukast?
Yes. Singulair is a brand name for montelukast.
Can I take montelukast while pregnant?
NHS says montelukast can be taken during pregnancy. Use it only as part of the plan from the clinician managing your asthma or allergy symptoms.
Is montelukast safe in early pregnancy?
Available information reviewed by MotherToBaby has not suggested an increased birth-defect risk above background risk, but your own asthma severity and medicine plan still need clinician review.
Should I stop montelukast when I find out I am pregnant?
Do not stop on your own. Contact your clinician so asthma or allergy control stays safe. Poorly controlled asthma can be risky during pregnancy.
Can I take Singulair while breastfeeding?
NHS says montelukast can be taken while breastfeeding. Ask your clinician if your baby is premature, medically fragile or you notice feeding, sleep or breathing concerns.
What about Montek LC or Montair LC in pregnancy?
Check the active ingredients. LC-style products can combine montelukast with an antihistamine such as levocetirizine, so the safety check needs to cover every ingredient.
Does montelukast replace a rescue inhaler?
No. It is not a rescue medicine for sudden breathing trouble. Follow your asthma action plan and seek urgent care if rescue treatment is not working.
What asthma symptoms need urgent help?
Seek urgent care for severe shortness of breath, blue lips, chest tightness that does not respond to your plan, trouble speaking, or worsening symptoms.
What mental-health symptoms should I watch for?
Contact a clinician promptly for new or worsening sleep problems, agitation, anxiety, depression, behavior changes, suicidal thoughts or other unusual mood symptoms.
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