Abstract
Leukotriene-receptor antagonists are the first novel class of antiasthma drugs to become available over the past three decades. They have an unique profile in that they are a hybrid of an anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator drug, and they can be taken as a tablet once or twice daily. The published data with leukotriene-receptor antagonists such as montelukast or zafirlukast show good antiasthmatic activity over a wide spectrum of asthma severity either as monotherapy or with inhaled steroids. Another potential spin-off of leukotriene-receptor antagonists is that they also seem to be effective in treating allergic rhinitis, which commonly coexists in patients with asthma. Here I overview the clinical pharmacology of leukotriene antagonists and appraise the published data from clinical trials, and look at the appropriate position of these agents in asthma management guidelines.
MeSH terms
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Acetates / administration & dosage
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Acetates / adverse effects
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Acetates / therapeutic use*
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Anti-Asthmatic Agents / administration & dosage
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Anti-Asthmatic Agents / adverse effects
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Anti-Asthmatic Agents / therapeutic use*
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Asthma / drug therapy*
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Child
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Cyclopropanes
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Drug Administration Schedule
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Humans
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Indoles
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Leukotriene Antagonists / administration & dosage
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Leukotriene Antagonists / adverse effects
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Leukotriene Antagonists / therapeutic use*
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Phenylcarbamates
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Quinolines / administration & dosage
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Quinolines / adverse effects
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Quinolines / therapeutic use*
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Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
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Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / drug therapy
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Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / physiopathology
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Sulfides
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Sulfonamides
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Tosyl Compounds / administration & dosage
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Tosyl Compounds / adverse effects
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Tosyl Compounds / therapeutic use*
Substances
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Acetates
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Anti-Asthmatic Agents
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Cyclopropanes
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Indoles
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Leukotriene Antagonists
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Phenylcarbamates
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Quinolines
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Sulfides
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Sulfonamides
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Tosyl Compounds
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montelukast
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zafirlukast