Montelukast, current indications and prospective future applications

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Montelukast is recommended for the treatment of asthma, exercise -induced bronchospasm and allergic rhinitis. Several trials demonstrated potential therapeutic effects in other respiratory conditions, and different animal-model-based studies explored potential pharmacological actions in non-respiratory conditions.

Areas covered: Clinical investigations on the pharmacotherapeutic effects of montelukast, in addition to in-vivo studies on animal models of non-respiratory diseases.

The data discussed in this review were mainly obtained from clinical randomized trials, real-life studies, and studies based on animal models as approve of concept. As a condition, all of the discussed articles were published in journals cited by Pubmed.

Expert commentary: The current clinical data are in favor of montelukast use in the management of chronic asthma as an add-on or alternative therapy to the inhaled corticosteroids. Further clinical trials are required to confirm the effectiveness and feasibility of montelukast for the treatment of conditions other than the current clinical indications.

KEYWORDS:

• Montelukast
• asthma
• emphysema
• cysteinyl leukotrienes
• ischemia reperfusion
• pharmacokinetics
• pharmacogenomics

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

There is no funding for this paper.