Montelukast, a Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist, for the Treatment of Persistent Asthma in Children Aged 2 to 5 Years

Barbara Knorr; Luis M. Franchi; Hans Bisgaard; Jan Hendrik Vermeulen; Peter LeSouef; Nancy Santanello; Theresa M. Michele; Theodore F. Reiss; Ha H. Nguyen; Donna L. Bratton

doi:10.1542/peds.108.3.e48

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Place of Montelukast in the Management of Persistent Asthma
Dr S K Agarwal

Published on: 22 February 2002

Published on: (22 February 2002)

Place of Montelukast in the Management of Persistent Asthma
Dr S K Agarwal, Head, Department of Chest Diseases,
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.
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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.
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Competing Interests: None declared.