Singulair/montelukast - how long before it is effective?

[brainonastick]

I've read anything on the internet from 1 day to 2 months. I was wondering if anyone had been advised on this by their consultant?

Background: Dd2 has been suffering from viral wheeze with every cold since September, so every 2/3 weeks. Escalating so A&E trip before Xmas, another episode after Xmas, then hospitalised this week. 10 days ago the GP put her on singulair, but obviously it has made no difference as yet.

The consultant who discharged us this week said it takes 3 months (!!) to make a difference, at which point I kicked up a fuss and he has reluctantly put her on 50mg of beclomethasone twice a day as well (which seems like a very low dose to me, compared to what worked for DD1, who is smaller and lighter than her at the same age, but anyway...).

Anyway, just wondering how long we have to give the singulair really before we can decide it is not working for her.

I think it was about a month before it made a difference for DS. The brown inhaler does take about 6 weeks to be effective though but that is a standard starting dose.

Unfortunatly it is often a case of needing more ventolin while waiting for things to kick in properly

Ah, ok.

Well, we'll throw everything at her and see if it makes a difference. We can worry about taking one of the drugs away when she's under control I guess.