Two medicines, side by side
Montelukast vs prednisolone
Montelukast and prednisolone are both labeled for asthma and allergies. Drugs@FDA records approvals of montelukast since 1998 and of prednisolone since 1955. Pharmacies paid $0.0419 per montelukast sod 10 mg tablet and $4.72 per mL (Prednisolone ac 1% eye drop) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Prednisolone's other strengths are brand-only: $30.66 per mL (Pred mild 0.12% eye drops). In FDA's classes, montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist and prednisolone a corticosteroid.
Check it at the source: the montelukast FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 30, 2025); the prednisolone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 25, 2026).
Highlights of the montelukast record
Montelukast (Singulair) · label of April 30, 2025
SERIOUS NEUROPSYCHIATRIC EVENTS Serious neuropsychiatric (NP) events have been reported with the use of SINGULAIR. The types of events reported were highly variable, and included, but were not limited to, agitation, aggression, depression, sleep disturbances, suicidal thoughts and behavior (including suicide). The mechanisms underlying NP events associated with SINGULAIR use are currently not well understood [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsSINGULAIR is a leukotriene receptor antagonist indicated for: Prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma in patients 12 months of age and older ( 1.1 ). Acute prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in patients 6 years of age and older ( 1.2 ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 20, 1998
- Generic labelers
- 36 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0419 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 11
Highlights of the prednisolone record
Prednisolone (Pred) · label of June 25, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsPrednisolone Sodium Phosphate Oral Solution is indicated in the following conditions: 1. Allergic States Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment in adult and pediatric populations with: seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis; asthma; contact dermatitis; atopic dermatitis; serum sickness; drug hypersensitivity reactions. 2. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 22, 1955
- Generic labelers
- 25 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $4.72 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Montelukast label of April 30, 2025, Prednisolone label of June 25, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do montelukast and prednisolone differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist and prednisolone a corticosteroid.
Half-life, in each label's words: Montelukast, “In several studies, the mean plasma half-life of montelukast ranged from 2.7 to 5.5 hours in healthy young adults.”; Prednisolone, “Prednisolone is 70-90% protein-bound in the plasma and it is eliminated from the plasma with a half-life of 2 to 4 …”
Only the montelukast label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: montelukast since 2012; prednisolone since 1971 (Drugs@FDA).
| Montelukast | Prednisolone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Asthma, Allergies | Anemia, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Multiple sclerosis, Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Organ transplant rejection |
| Pharmacologic class | Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist | Corticosteroid |
| How it works (label) | The cysteinyl leukotrienes (LTC 4 , LTD 4 , LTE 4 ) are products of arachidonic acid metabolism and are released from various cells, including mast cells and eosinophils. These eicosanoids bind to cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) receptors. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | In several studies, the mean plasma half-life of montelukast ranged from 2.7 to 5.5 hours in healthy young adults. | Prednisolone is 70-90% protein-bound in the plasma and it is eliminated from the plasma with a half-life of 2 to 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 20, 1998 | May 22, 1955 |
| First generic approved | August 3, 2012 | November 24, 1971 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 36 labelers | 25 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0419 per tablet (Montelukast sod 10 mg tablet) | $4.72 per mL (Prednisolone ac 1% eye drop) |
| 12-month price change | -20% | +4% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 11 | 9 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 174,997 | 191,407 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Montelukast label, drug interactionsDRUG INTERACTIONS No dose adjustment is needed when SINGULAIR is co-administered with theophylline, prednisone, prednisolone, oral contraceptives, fexofenadine, digoxin, warfarin, gemfibrozil, itraconazole, thyroid hormones, sedative hypnotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, benzodiazepines, decongestants, and Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme inducers [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to montelukast
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions