ASTHMA TRIGGERS
What are the causes of asthma? No one is sure what causes asthma, and, so far, there is no cure for it. However, we know that asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disorder that can be controlled. With asthma, substances or conditions called triggers* cause air passages in the lungs to become inflamed and swollen. Things that trigger an asthma attack in one person may not be a problem for another.
Common asthma triggers include:
Pollen: Pollen comes from trees, weeds, and grasses.
Mold: Molds release spores into the air, which can trigger asthma symptoms. Molds grow in damp, humid places, such as basements, bathrooms, or piles of rotting leaves.
Animal dander: Animal dander is the flakes of skin from animals with fur or feathers, including cats, dogs, gerbils, hamsters, rabbits, mice, and birds.
Cockroaches: The dried droppings and remains of cockroaches can be asthma triggers. Cockroaches are attracted to water and to food that is left out or in open containers.
Dust mites: Dust mites are tiny creatures that can be found in bedding, carpets, upholstered sofas and chairs, stuffed toys, and curtains.
Cigarette smoke: Smoke from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes can be a trigger if you smoke or if you are exposed to secondhand smoke from others.
Indoor irritants: Asthma triggers in the home can include gases from furnaces or woodstoves and strong odors, such as those from paints, cleaning agents, or perfumes.
Other triggers include:
- Air pollution (smog)
- Breathing in cold air
- Exercise
- Certain foods (such as milk, eggs, peanuts, and soy)
- Sulfites in some foods and drinks (wine)
- Emotional stress and anxiety
SINGULAIR has been proven effective in helping to prevent asthma symptoms. However, the effect of SINGULAIR on asthma symptoms caused by individual triggers has not been studied.
SINGULAIR is a prescription medicine used to prevent asthma attacks and for long-term treatment of asthma in adults and children 12 months and older.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
- You or your child should not take SINGULAIR for relief right away from a sudden asthma attack. Always have your or your child's rescue inhaler medicine with you for asthma attacks. Tell your healthcare provider right away if your or your child's asthma symptoms get worse or if you need, or your child needs, to use rescue inhaler medicine more often for asthma attacks.
- SINGULAIR may cause serious side effects. Behavior and mood-related changes have been reported: agitation including aggressive behavior or hostility, bad or vivid dreams, depression, disorientation (confusion), feeling anxious, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not really there), irritability, restlessness, sleepwalking, suicidal thoughts and actions (including suicide), tremor, and trouble sleeping. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have, or your child has, any of these symptoms while taking SINGULAIR.
- The most common side effects with SINGULAIR include upper respiratory infection, fever, headache, sore throat, cough, stomach pain, diarrhea, earache or ear infection, flu, runny nose, and sinus infection.
- SINGULAIR should not be taken by people who are sensitive to any of its ingredients.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please read the Patient Information and discuss it with your doctor. The physician Prescribing Information also is available.
SINGULAIR is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.20852779(12)-06/10-SNG
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