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Can Montelukast and Cetirizine be taken long-term safely?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am 33 years old and experiencing sneezing and an itchy throat. Due to this problem, I am avoiding certain foods like chicken, eggplant, and pumpkin. I usually face this issue early in the morning after waking up. I also start sneezing when I pass through dusty environments or when I am around unnatural smells like paint, wood polish, and more.

A doctor prescribed Montelukast and Cetirizine last year, and I use the medication whenever I have this issue. It provides temporary relief.

Is this medicine good for my health, and can I use it continuously for a long time?

Kindly suggest.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You seem to be having vasomotor or allergic rhinitis. We need to diagnose it so that the treatment will address the cause. However, temporarily, the symptomatic treatment would entail the use of steroid nasal sprays with antihistamines and Montelukast. The choice of nasal spray and the antihistamine can be made based on your work and response. Allergy to dust particles, local flora, and pollen can be overcome by identifying the offending agent and avoiding it entirely. Such a diagnosis can be made using blood ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) testing or skin prick testing. Sometimes the offending agent can also be a food allergen.

Regarding the choice of antihistamines, there are second-generation antihistamines with fewer side effects. Some medicines like Cetirizine can produce sleepiness and dryness of the mouth. Fexofenadine is slightly better that way. Steroidal nasal sprays are generally safe and can be used for long-term use. Fluticasone and Mometasone are popular.

For further support, do revert to me. In that case, please attach your previous consultation papers and any blood investigation reports. If you can click a picture of the throat with an open mouth showing the posterior pharyngeal wall, it will be helpful for us to check for any postnasal drip, congestion, follicles, and nodes.

Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed byDr. Hemalatha
Published At February 4, 2020
Reviewed AtNovember 11, 2025

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