title: Antileukotriene agents.
abstract: The antileukotriene agents, the first new class of asthma medications introduced in two decades, represent a promising new alternative in the continuing search for effective and safe therapy for chronic inflammation in asthma. The leukotrienes are inflammatory mediators whose effects on asthma include bronchoconstriction, increased vascular permeability, and increased mucus production. In chronic asthma, regular use of either leukotriene synthesis inhibitors or leukotriene receptor antagonists has improved pulmonary function and clinical symptoms significantly. Antileukotriene agents appear to be safe and well tolerated, although long-term studies will be needed to confirm this.
authors.affiliation: Allergy Research Foundation, Los Angeles, CA 90026, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Spector
mesh_terms: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007211:Indoles; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D015289:Leukotrienes / Q000502:physiology*; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014105:Tosyl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D007211:Indoles; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D015289:Leukotrienes; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; C063449:zileuton; D006918:Hydroxyurea; C062735:zafirlukast