eLetters is an online forum for ongoing peer review. To submit an eLetter please go to the article you wish to respond to and click on the link that reads "eLetters: Submit a Response." Submission of eLetters are open to all health care professionals and experts in related fields.

eLetters to:

ELECTRONIC ARTICLE:
Barbara Knorr, Luis M. Franchi, Hans Bisgaard, Jan Hendrik Vermeulen, Peter LeSouef, Nancy Santanello, Theresa M. Michele, Theodore F. Reiss, Ha H. Nguyen, and Donna L. Bratton
Montelukast, a Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist, for the Treatment of Persistent Asthma in Children Aged 2 to 5 Years
Pediatrics 2001; 108: e48 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
*eLetters: Submit a response to this article

eLetters published:

[Read eLetters] Place of Montelukast in the Management of Persistent Asthma
Dr S K Agarwal   (22 February 2002)

Place of Montelukast in the Management of Persistent Asthma 22 February 2002
  Top
Dr S K Agarwal,
Head, Department of Chest Diseases,
Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, Varanasi

Send letter to journal:
Re: Place of Montelukast in the Management of Persistent Asthma

sk_agarwal{at}satyam.net.in Dr S K Agarwal

Available preventive therapies for persistent asthma include inhaled corticosteroids, sodium chromoglycate, oral leukotrienes and oral theophyllines. Among these agents, inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective because of their broad spectrum of anti-inflammatory activity. Inspite of this, the use of inhaled corticosteroids in asthma management are under prescribed by physicians and/or underused by patients.

There is a high rate of adherence with oral montelukast treatment. Montelukast has rapid onset of action in patients with asthma, which may promote adherence when treatment is initiated. Indeed, there appears to be a general consensus that oral admistration is an important advantage of the antileukotrienes.However, a recent study(1) found a marginal utility of montelukast in the management persistent asthma where the oral drug was given for 1 year.

References:1. Mathison, DA and Koziol,JA. Marginal Utility of Montelukast for Persistent Asthma. Chest;121:334-337.