Controlling Asthma Attacks
Reported February 18, 2005
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — Montelukast, a leukotriene-receptor antagonist (leukotrienes mediate inflammation in the body and play a role in allergic reactions), decreased incidents of asthma in young children by about 32 percent while also reducing corticosteroid use, according to a new study.
Researchers in Denmark and colleagues conducted a one-year study involving 549 children from 68 sites in 23 countries. In the study, 278 of the children received low-dose montelukast once a day for 12 months while 271 of the children received a placebo.
Results show exacerbation of asthma occurred 1.6 times per patient per year in those taking montelukast compared with 2.24 incidents per patient per year in the placebo group.
The study also shows overall corticosteroid use was cut by 32 percent in those who took Montelukast, and inhaled corticosteroid use decreased by 40 percent.
The authors note, however, that montelukast shouldn’t necessarily be used year round. Instead, the medication should be reserved more for seasonal use, especially before the viral season when the common cold can induce up to 85 percent of childhood asthma exacerbations.
SOURCE: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2005;171:315-322