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Montelukast

Other names: Singulair

The FAA's guidance for montelukast depends on what it is taken for. Each use is below, with its own FAA source and date.

Taken for allergies

FAA guidance

Acceptable with conditions.

Wait

48 hours

ground trial after first use of any new medication

Examiner

The examiner can issue when the document's criteria are met

FAA label

ACCEPTABLE

Source: FAA, Allergy – Antihistamines & Immunotherapy Medication. FAA date 30 September 2026. Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026

The FAA's allergy sheet lists montelukast as acceptable allergy medication, which may be used as a single agent or in any combination product, if other certification criteria are met.

Track your medications
More detail: montelukastThe rest of Crosscheck's reading, in plain wordsOpen

Under new medications, it says symptoms must be controlled without adverse side effects and a mandatory 48-hour ground trial is required after initial use; for acceptable medications, it says the initial observation time is not required (see chart below); and its footnote prohibits flight/safety-related duties after initial use of a new medication until after a 48-hour ground trial and no side effects are noted. The allergy sheet also says airmen who are exhibiting symptoms, regardless of the treatment used, must not fly. Montelukast taken for asthma has its own entry.

  • 48 hours after the first dose: ground observation
Show the FAA's words: montelukastThe official FAA wording: two passages, each with its document and dateOpen
FAA, Allergy – Antihistamines & Immunotherapy Medication · FAA date 30 September 2026
New medications:
Symptoms must be controlled without adverse side effects.
Initial observation time: Mandatory 48-hour ground trial required after initial use.
Acceptable medications:
Initial observation time: Not required for acceptable medications (see chart below).
ACCEPTABLE* (Non-Sedating) Antihistamine and Allergy Medications
May be used as a single agent or in any combination product, if other certification criteria are met.
Oral: montelukast (Singulair)
* Airmen are prohibited from flight/safety-related duties after initial use of a new medication until after a 48-hour ground trial and no side effects are noted.
FAA, Allergy – Antihistamines & Immunotherapy Medication · FAA date 30 September 2026
Airmen who are exhibiting symptoms, regardless of the treatment used, must not fly.
Sources and dates: montelukastOne FAA document, with the FAA's date and when Crosscheck checked itOpen

Taken for asthma

FAA guidance

Acceptable with conditions.

Examiner

CACI: the examiner can issue when the condition's worksheet criteria are met. Applicants for first- or second-class must provide the worksheet's information annually; applicants for third-class with each required exam

FAA label

ACCEPTABLE

Source: FAA, CACI – Asthma Worksheet. FAA date 24 September 2025. Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026

For asthma, the FAA's CACI – Asthma Worksheet lists a leukotriene receptor antagonist (for example montelukast [Singulair]) among its acceptable medications, and says that if the applicant meets all the acceptable certification criteria it lists, the examiner can issue.

More detail: montelukastThe rest of Crosscheck's reading, in plain wordsOpen

The worksheet applies with all its other criteria, among them a current, detailed clinical progress note from the treating physician or specialist no more than 90 days before the exam; the treating physician finding the condition stable on the current regimen with no changes recommended; symptoms stable and well-controlled (either on or off medication); and spirometry current within the last 90 days, with FEV1 and FVC both at least 80% predicted before bronchodilators. The examiner must note in Block 60 one of its statements, which include CACI qualified asthma, and not CACI qualified asthma and deferred.

Show the FAA's words: montelukastThe official FAA wording: one passage, each with its document and dateOpen
FAA, CACI – Asthma Worksheet · FAA date 24 September 2025
the AME must review a current, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with the treating physician or specialist no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam. If the applicant meets ALL the acceptable certification criteria listed below, the AME can issue.
Treating physician finds the condition stable on current regimen and no changes recommended.
Symptoms: Stable and well-controlled (either on or off medication)
Acceptable Medications
One or more of the following
leukotriene receptor antagonist, (e.g. montelukast [Singulair])
Spirometry (previously PFT)
Current within last 90 days
FEV1 and FVC are both equal to or greater than 80% predicted before bronchodilators.
AME MUST NOTE in Block 60 one of the following:
CACI qualified asthma. (Documents do not need to be submitted to the FAA.)
NOT CACI qualified asthma. I have deferred. (Submit supporting documents.)
Sources and dates: montelukastOne FAA document, with the FAA's date and when Crosscheck checked itOpen

Taking it for something else? The entries here do not cover that use. The FAA may address it in the guidance for your condition. Ask your examiner.

See also

  • Allergies

    Check a condition: what the FAA's documents say the examiner looks at

  • Asthma

    Check a condition: what the FAA's documents say the examiner looks at

  • Allergy and cold medications

    Every medication in this group, with its answer and wait

Medication guidance alone does not determine whether a pilot is medically qualified to fly. The underlying condition, dosage, side effects, medication combinations, and certification history may affect FAA eligibility.

For informational purposes only. Not legal or medical advice.