Buy Generic Singulair (Montelukast) Online Cheap in Australia 2025: Safe Options, Prices, Risks
Iain French 23 August 2025 2 Comments

You want the lowest price on legit generic Singulair (montelukast) online without risking fake pills or breaking Australian rules. Here’s the short version: you can get it cheaply and legally with a real prescription through an Australian-registered pharmacy, often at or below the PBS co‑payment, and you don’t need to gamble on sketchy overseas sites. I’ll show you the price you should expect in 2025, how to check a site is genuine, the safety warnings that matter (yes, the mental health one), and quick alternatives if montelukast isn’t your best bet.

  • TL;DR: Expect to pay around the PBS co‑payment (about low-$30s for general, under-$10 for concession) for a 28-30‑tablet pack when bought via a registered Australian pharmacy.
  • Montelukast is prescription‑only in Australia. Avoid “no prescription” websites-they’re unsafe and likely unlawful here.
  • Check the pharmacy’s registration (AHPRA/Pharmacy Board), ask for generic substitution, and use PBS Safety Net to drive costs down.
  • Montelukast helps for allergic rhinitis and some asthma profiles, but it’s not first‑line for everyone and it’s not for sudden asthma attacks.
  • There’s a real boxed warning about mood/behaviour side effects. Know the red flags and what to do if they show up.

What you’re actually buying: generic Singulair (montelukast) and when it makes sense

Singulair is the brand name for montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist. The generic is the same active ingredient and must meet the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) standards for quality, safety, and efficacy. In Australia, montelukast is commonly prescribed for:

  • Allergic rhinitis (seasonal and perennial), especially when antihistamines or nasal sprays aren’t enough.
  • Asthma as an add‑on controller for certain people-like those with aspirin‑exacerbated respiratory disease, night‑time symptoms, or exercise‑induced bronchoconstriction.
  • Exercise‑induced bronchoconstriction prevention when other options don’t suit.

It’s not a reliever. It won’t stop a sudden asthma attack. You still need your reliever inhaler as per your action plan. National guidance (for example, the National Asthma Council Australia) generally puts inhaled corticosteroids (or ICS‑containing reliever/controller regimens) ahead of montelukast for most adults with asthma. Montelukast can still be a smart add‑on in the right scenario.

Common Australian strengths include 10 mg film‑coated tablets for adults, and 4 mg or 5 mg chewable tablets for children. Adults usually take 10 mg once daily, often in the evening, per the Product Information. Don’t change dose or timing without checking with your prescriber.

Because I live in Melbourne, I see the allergy peaks hit hard when northerlies kick up pollen. Some of my mates do great on intranasal steroids alone. Others only settled their nights after adding montelukast. That’s the point: this med has a place, but it’s not a silver bullet for everyone.

Prices, deals, and what “cheap” really looks like in Australia (2025)

The good news: when you buy in Australia with a valid prescription, generic montelukast is usually affordable, and often it’s the online shipping, not the tablet price, that pushes the total up. Here’s what “cheap” means right now.

Pack/Service Typical 2025 Range (AUD) Notes
Montelukast 10 mg, 28-30 tablets (PBS, general) ~$30-$33 Approx. PBS co‑payment for general patients; pharmacies can discount a little.
Montelukast 10 mg, 28-30 tablets (PBS, concession) ~$7-$8 Approx. concession co‑payment; Safety Net can reduce further once threshold met.
Montelukast 10 mg, 28-30 tablets (private) $9-$25 Varies by brand and pharmacy; often similar to PBS once discounts applied.
Shipping (domestic online pharmacy) $0-$10 Free with minimum spend at some pharmacies; standard delivery ~1-4 business days.
Telehealth script (if needed) $20-$60 Prices vary; some clinics bulk bill or discount for repeat scripts.

Those PBS figures come from Department of Health policy settings for 2025, where the general co‑payment sits in the low $30s and the concession co‑payment is under $10, indexed annually. Pharmacies can discount a bit off the maximum general co‑payment, so you’ll see small variations. If your pharmacy offers a price‑match policy, bring a screenshot.

What about overseas sites with tiny per‑tablet prices? Two problems. First, Australian law: prescription medicines are prescription‑only here-buying from a “no‑script” website is a red flag. Second, quality and customs: the TGA’s Personal Importation Scheme allows up to 3 months’ supply for personal use, but you still need a valid Australian prescription, and there’s a risk of seizure if the product isn’t compliant. The cheaper headline price can evaporate with shipping delays, customs issues, and the risk of getting something that isn’t what it says on the label.

Bottom line on price: for most Australians, your cheapest, safest path is a registered Australian pharmacy using the PBS. If you’re a concession card holder or close to the PBS Safety Net threshold, the price gets even better.

Buy it safely online: a quick checklist and step‑by‑step

If you want to buy generic singulair online, do it through an Australian‑registered pharmacy with a valid prescription. Here’s the simple path I recommend to friends and family.

Fast checklist

  • Prescription in hand (or telehealth ready)? Good. Montelukast is prescription‑only in Australia.
  • Pharmacy is registered in Australia? Check the Pharmacy Board of Australia/AHPRA public register for the business and a supervising pharmacist.
  • Clear Australian contact info, ABN, and a physical pharmacy premises listed on the site? Yes, please.
  • No “no‑prescription” claims, no miracle language, no wild discounts? If you see those, walk away.
  • Secure checkout, privacy policy, and pharmacist counselling available? Non‑negotiable.
  • Ask for generic substitution and any PBS‑eligible brand to minimise out‑of‑pocket costs.

Step‑by‑step

  1. Get a valid script. Your GP can ePrescribe (token sent by SMS/email). Telehealth is fine if it’s a legitimate Australian clinic.
  2. Pick your pharmacy. Choose an Australian online pharmacy with clear registration and real pharmacists on duty.
  3. Upload your eScript token or arrange for paper script posting, as directed by the pharmacy.
  4. Select the generic brand that’s on PBS and cheapest. Tick “generic substitution allowed.”
  5. Confirm final price (medicine + shipping). If they price‑match, ask.
  6. Delivery choice: standard is usually 1-4 business days. If you’re in a rush, see if they offer click & collect.
  7. On arrival, check the pack: name (montelukast), strength, your name, expiry, TGA‑approved packaging, and leaflet inside.
  8. Take as prescribed. If the pharmacist offers a quick MedsCheck or counselling call, say yes.

Red flags (don’t ignore these)

  • “No prescription needed” or “doctor online will always approve” claims.
  • Foreign pills not approved by the TGA, no Australian address, no ABN, or no named pharmacist.
  • Odd payment methods only (crypto/wire), or huge discounts that look too good to be true.
  • Refuse to supply an invoice or receipt with PBS details when it should be PBS‑claimable.

Money‑saving tips

  • Ask for the cheapest PBS brand and allow substitution. Brands change in price, the active ingredient doesn’t.
  • Keep a PBS Safety Net record (digital or paper). Once you hit the threshold, your medicine costs can drop a lot for the rest of the year.
  • Pick standard shipping unless you’re truly out. Paying for express on a non‑urgent repeat eats your savings.
  • Bundle repeats or other meds in one order to hit free‑shipping thresholds.
Risks, side effects, and when not to use it

Risks, side effects, and when not to use it

Montelukast has a well‑known safety profile, but there’s one warning you shouldn’t gloss over: neuropsychiatric side effects. These include agitation, sleep problems (like vivid dreams), anxiety, depression, and in rare cases suicidal thoughts or actions. This prompted a boxed warning in 2020 in the U.S., and Australian Product Information reflects these risks too.

U.S. FDA Drug Safety Communication (2020): “Because of the risk of mental health side effects, the benefits of montelukast may not outweigh the risks in some patients.”

What to watch for:

  • New or worsening mood changes, irritability, anxiety, depression.
  • Sleep disturbance, nightmares, unusual dreams-especially noticed in children.
  • Restlessness, tremor, or other odd behaviour.

What to do: stop the medicine and talk to your doctor or pharmacist promptly if you notice these. If suicidal thoughts appear, seek urgent care. Don’t wait it out.

Other common side effects include headache and mild stomach upset. Serious allergic reactions are rare but possible-get medical help if you develop swelling, hives, or breathing trouble.

Important use notes:

  • Not for acute asthma attacks. Keep your reliever inhaler as directed.
  • Chewable tablets can contain phenylalanine (aspartame). If you or your child has phenylketonuria (PKU), ask for a suitable formulation.
  • If pregnant, trying, or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before starting or continuing. Most people can continue if benefits outweigh risks, but it’s a shared decision.
  • Drug interactions are fewer than many meds, but always give your pharmacist a complete medication list, including over‑the‑counter and herbal products.

If you’re a parent: keep an eye on mood or sleep changes in the first few weeks. Many kids tolerate it well, but you’ll pick up problems faster if you’re looking for them. If you’ve had a recent change at school or home, tell your doctor-context helps interpret symptoms.

Alternatives, comparisons, and smart trade‑offs

Before you chase discounts, make sure montelukast is the right medicine for you. If symptoms are mostly nasal (sneeze, drip, itchy eyes), a daily intranasal corticosteroid spray (like budesonide or fluticasone) often beats montelukast for relief. If the main problem is asthma control, guidelines typically favour inhaled corticosteroids or ICS/reliever regimens first, with montelukast as an add‑on when needed.

When montelukast shines

  • Aspirin‑exacerbated respiratory disease-leukotriene pathway involvement makes montelukast helpful.
  • Night‑time wheeze or cough despite appropriate inhaled therapy.
  • Exercise‑induced bronchoconstriction where short‑acting reliever timing is tricky.
  • People who can’t tolerate intranasal steroids or prefer a tablet.

When to look elsewhere first

  • Pure hay fever without lower‑airway symptoms: intranasal corticosteroids and/or non‑sedating antihistamines are usually first pick.
  • Uncontrolled asthma: check inhaler technique, adherence, and consider stepping up inhaled therapy per your action plan before adding montelukast.
  • If you’ve had mood disorders: weigh benefits and risks carefully and monitor closely if you and your doctor proceed.

Cost comparisons in practice

Antihistamines are often a few dollars a month. Intranasal steroids come in around $10-$25 per bottle, depending on brand and sales, with one bottle covering roughly a month. PBS‑listed inhalers have subsidised prices similar to other regular medicines. Montelukast’s PBS pricing is predictable and often competitive, but it shouldn’t leapfrog options that work better for your symptoms. Cheaper isn’t cheaper if control is worse.

Quick decision tips

  • If your nasal spray gives 80-90% control, stick with it and save your prescription for scenarios where tablets add clear value.
  • If you’re waking at night with asthma, that’s a flag to review your plan with your GP-montelukast may help, but so can adjusting inhaled therapy.
  • Side effects after starting montelukast? Stop and discuss alternatives rather than trying to push through.

Mini‑FAQ

  • Is montelukast over‑the‑counter in Australia? No. It’s prescription‑only.
  • Is the generic the same as Singulair? Yes, same active ingredient and dose; quality is regulated by the TGA.
  • How fast does it work? Some people notice benefits within a day or two; full effect can take a week or so.
  • Can I split the tablet? They’re film‑coated and not designed for splitting for dose adjustment. Use the prescribed strength.
  • Can I import from overseas for personal use? Only with a valid prescription and within TGA Personal Importation rules; still risky vs buying locally.
  • What if I lose my script? Ask your prescriber for a replacement eScript; pharmacies can’t legally dispense without it.
  • Is it safe for kids? It’s used widely in children at age‑appropriate doses. Watch for mood and sleep changes and keep in touch with your doctor.
Next steps and troubleshooting

Next steps and troubleshooting

Different situations, straight answers:

  • I need it today: Order online for click & collect or head to a local pharmacy with your eScript token. Don’t wait for postage if you’re out.
  • No prescription yet: Book your GP or a legitimate Australian telehealth clinic. Avoid overseas “no‑Rx” sites.
  • Price looks high: Ask for PBS brand and generic substitution, and check if they’ll price‑match. Log your PBS spend to approach the Safety Net.
  • Shipping delays: Message the pharmacy for tracking and options. If you’re down to the last few tablets, consider a one‑off in‑store pickup and save the mail order for repeats.
  • Side effects showed up: Stop the medicine and contact your prescriber. For mood changes or suicidal thoughts, seek urgent help.
  • Not helping enough: Re‑check diagnosis, triggers, and inhaler technique with your GP. You might need an inhaled therapy tweak or a different plan.

Sources I trust and use for this stuff: the Department of Health and Aged Care (Australia) for PBS settings, the TGA for product and safety updates, the National Asthma Council Australia for practical asthma guidance, and the U.S. FDA’s 2020 safety communication on montelukast for that boxed warning. If you want a sanity check on an online pharmacy, the Pharmacy Board of Australia/AHPRA register is the fastest way to confirm they’re legit.

I live in Melbourne, so I’ll add one local tip: during peak pollen months, don’t rely on last‑minute orders. Put repeats on your calendar, combine scripts to hit free shipping, and keep one box ahead. It’s boring-and it works. On busy weeks, Nora gives me the side‑eye if I forget to refill, which is honestly the most effective reminder I’ve ever had.

2 Comments


Angie Robinson
Angie Robinson

August 26, 2025 AT 13:09

Neuropsychiatric warnings are the real deal and deserve the spotlight more than the price talk.

People shrug off vivid dreams and irritability until it becomes a full mess for the family, and montelukast has a documented risk profile for that.


If someone here is juggling mood issues, please don’t treat montelukast like a casual OTC swap - get the prescriber to weigh pros and cons and set a monitoring plan.

Kylie Holmes
Kylie Holmes

August 28, 2025 AT 16:34

Good practical checklist in the post - love the “check the ABN and named pharmacist” tip.

Also, bundling repeats to hit free shipping is such a simple hack that saves real money.


People underestimate how much logistics costs add up versus the actual tablet price.

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