The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7374 p566
5 November 2005

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DTB revises view on leukotriene antagonists

The place of leukotriene receptor antagonists in the management of asthma is reconsidered by the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin this month (2005;43:85). In 1998 the DTB concluded that there was insufficient evidence to define clearly their place in asthma treatment (1998;36:65).

The DTB now concludes that there is sufficient evidence to support the use of montelukast and zafirlukast as add-on therapy in step 3 of asthma management, as specified in British guidelines. However, it adds that it remains unclear whether these drugs are of benefit in step 4 of management. Further research is needed to determine whether leukotriene receptor antagonists offer advantages in patients with asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis, those with aspirin-intolerant asthma and young children with recurrent wheezing, it says.

DTB advice on “Drugs for the doctor’s bag — children” is also updated in this issue (ibid, p81).