Hi Dot,

After a few phone calls to local pharmacists and some online research, the best answer to give you is this:  Singulair should be taken once daily as prescribed, whether or not asthma symptoms are present.  If symptoms get worse, or if your son's rescue inhaler use is increased, you should make an appointment to see his doctor.  Because Singulair is prescribed once daily for a 24 hour period, there is no therapeutic effect after this time.  However, the biproducts of Singulair remain in the system for a period of 24-72 hours.  Please keep in mind, that the biproducts of Singulair have no effect on your son's symptoms, so it is important that he continue to take the medicine as prescribed.  For any other specific information about any of your son's medications, please talk to his doctor.  His doctor is really the best resource for you and your son.

A question that is raised by yours is: why is your son not compliant with his medicine?  It's important to find out why he doesn't take his medicine as he should.  Does he have any negative side effects from the medicine, does he forget, is he not acknowledging that his disease is real, does he feel that the medicine is not working, does he feel burdened about his asthma?  Try asking some questions to determine why he doesn't take his medicine.  Any one of the concerns listed above can be addressed.  If you need to, bring his doctor into the conversation.  There are so many options available to controlling asthma.  Once that control is established, and your son's symptoms and episodes become few and far in between, your son will see the importance of staying compliant with his treatment plan.  Good luck!