Can Montelukast be used as preventive measure for asthma in a child?
Patient: my child of 8 yrs have allergic asthma and during winter they suffer the 1-2 episodes. This time she is well after therapy of nebulization with clenil and clenilc compositum,also taking 4th or 5th time course of montelukast 5 mg.My Q is her doctor has advised clenil nebulization  with 0.5ml daily for more than few weeks even she remained on nebulizatioln for 3 weeks now is it safe to continue as preventive measure and about montelukast course again and  again every year. thanks Doctor: HelloThis  type of allergy is a precursor of asthmatic allergic bronchitis i.e. ASTHMA .But unfortunately peoples in India don't accept this , as I  have noted.When such patient visit my clinic I prescribe them to take montelukast+ bambuterol ( combination 0.2 mg /kg body weight ) one tablet in the night and patient respond very  well . I don't prescribe    nebulizer or steroid inhaler .In my opinion this is safe drug for asthmatic allergic patient.When patient become  symptom free, stop the drug and symptoms recurs , start the drug .Since asthma is an allergic  disease and patient have  to take treatment  , whenever feel discomfort.Avoidance for dust , mite , mold , fungus , sudden increase or decrease in temperature , pollen , fumes , smoking help in asthmatic cases .Hope this will help you.Hot coffee and steam inhalation also act as bronchodilators.