Role of antileukotrienes in asthma treatment

Several classes of anti-inflammatory drugs are available for controlling asthma symptoms; these include inhaled corticosteroids, cromolyn and nedocromil, and antileukotriene drugs.

Despite clinical evidence that inhaled corticosteroids are safe when used in low-to-moderate doses, many physicians and patients express concern about potential side effects when these compounds are used in long-term treatment, especially for children because of their possible inhibitory effects on growth, particularly when high doses will be used as logn-term therapy.

Antileukotriene agents are the first new class of asthma medication that was approved in the last 20 years. Current asthma treatment guidelines recommend antileukotriene agents as anti-inflammatory therapy for patients with mild, persistent asthma. The role that these drugs will play in clinical practice will become apparent as additional experience is gained in their use.

The results of clinical studies illustrate their potential: antileukotriene agents reduce asthma symptoms, improve airway function, and decrease the need for concomitant b 2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids; the incidence of asthma exacerbations may also be reduced.

Finally, because these agents are administered orally, they offer the potential for improved patient compliance relative to the more complicated forms of drug administration.