Leukotriene receptor antagonists for the treatment of asthma

Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) are novel medications that provide symptom control in patients with persistent asthma. Current guidelines recommend the use of LTRAs as a treatment option for patients with mild-persistent asthma of at least 12 years of age. As illustrated by the results of controlled, multicenter clinical trials with zafirlukast and montelukast, as well as studies with pranlukast in Japan, LTRAs reduce daytime and night time asthma symptoms, improve pulmonary function, lower beta-adrenergic agonist use, and reduce asthma morbidity in patients with mild-intermittent to moderate-persistent asthma. Moreover, several recent clinical studies demonstrate that these agents are effective in preventing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in children, and in improving disease control in symptomatic patients taking inhaled steroids. Based on clinical results to date, LTRAs appear to be safe and well tolerated in patients with mildto- moderate asthma. These agents represent an important addition to the drug armamentarium against asthma.