Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026
Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
Montelukast use-a 19-year nationwide drug utilisation study
Daniel Pilsgaard Henriksen1,2, Jesper Rømhild Davidsen3, Christian B Laursen3
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Odense University Hospital, B Winsløwsvej 19, 2, 5000, Odense C, Denmark. dphenriksen@health.sdu.dk.
Purpose:
Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used in asthma and rhinitis treatment. Despite being marketed nearly two decades ago, little is known about its utilisation pattern.
Methods:
Using the Danish National Prescription Registry, we identified subjects filling a montelukast prescription between 1998 and 2017. Using descriptive statistics, we reported the development in incidence, and prevalence, as well as a measure of treatment duration, and concomitant use of asthma- or anti-allergic therapy.
Results:
We identified 147,247 individuals filling 1,327,489 montelukast prescriptions. A total of 54,349 users (37%) filled only one montelukast prescription. The prevalence increased from 0.9/1000 persons in 1998 to 3.3/1000 persons in 2016. The rate of new users reached its maximum of 2.1/1000 person-years in 2009. Among new montelukast users, 28% were still users after 1 year. Among all montelukast initiators, 60% filled at least one prescription of short-acting beta-2-agonists (SABA) up to a year prior to montelukast initiation, and 49% filled a prescription of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Only 0.8% (n = 1148) of all individuals initiated montelukast without a redeemed prescription of short- or long-term inhalation therapy, systemic antihistamines, or nasal topical anti-allergic treatment.
Conclusions:
The usage of montelukast has increased over threefold since its market entry in 1998, mainly driven by an increased number of prevalent users. The majority of individuals who initiated montelukast filled a prescription of SABA up to a year prior to montelukast initiation, whereas almost half filled a prescription of ICS.
More Related Videos
07:28Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System
Published on: April 6, 2017
05:31Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:19Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
01:24Antiasthma Drugs: Methylxanthines
Theophylline is thought to inhibit phosphodiesterase enzymes, increasing intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This rise in cAMP and cGMP concentrations stimulates cardiac function,...
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce...