Merck Singulair OK'd for exercise asthma

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., April 25 (UPI) -- Merck said Wednesday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Singulair for preventing exercise-induced asthma.

The approval -- which is for patients 15 years of age and older -- makes Singulair the first and only oral tablet indicated for preventing this form of asthma, also known as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, or EIB.

In clinical studies, a single tablet of Singulair taken two hours prior to exercise prevented exercise-induced asthma. Some patients were protected 24 hours after taking the tablet.

Merck said Singulair should not be taken for the immediate relief of asthma attacks and patients should always have their inhaled rescue medicine available.