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Source - Reuters Health – Results of a study published in Chest 2005; 127:509-514 report that montelukast decreases levels of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and airway resistance in pre- school children with allergic asthma.
Dr. Daniel A. Straub and colleagues of University Children's Hospital, Zurich, examined the effect of montelukast on levels of eNO and
lung function in 30 asthmatic children between 2 and 5 years of age with a positive first-degree family history of asthma and a positive allergy test result.
The children underwent a 1-week run-in period of montelukast treatment. Airway resistance and eNO were measured before and after the
run-in period and again after 4 weeks of montelukast treatment (4 mg once daily).
The mean eNO levels and airway resistance values at baseline were 33.1ppb and 1.28 kPa/L/s, which declined to 11.6 ppb and 1.15 kPa/L/s
after montelukast treatment (p < 0.001). The mean bronchial dilating effect did not change significantly over the course of the trial.
The investigators suggest that montelukast may be a good alternative first-line anti-inflammatory treatment in pre-school children with
allergic asthma. This may be especially true in those who don't cooperate with inhaled therapy, they add.
The researchers call for further investigation to determine whether their findings apply to younger children and those with other
etiologies of wheeze.
Montelukast is licensed in the United Kingdom for children 6 months - 5 years at 4mg daily in the evening.
For more information go to:www.reutershealth.com (subscription required)
Prepared by Susan Wileman Medicines Information Technician
Date of Preparation: 15th February 2005
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