Montelukast once daily inhibits exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in 6- to 14-year-old children with asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, attenuates exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in 6- to 14-year-old children with asthma.


METHODS
Double-blind, multicenter, 2-period crossover study. Children (n = 27) with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) > or =70% of the predicted value and a fall in FEV1 > or =20% after exercise on 2 occasions. Patients received montelukast (5-mg chewable tablet) or placebo once daily in the evening for 2 days in crossover fashion (at least 4 days between treatment periods). Standardized exercise challenges were performed 20 to 24 hours after the last dose in each period. End points included area above the postexercise percent fall in FEV1 versus time curve (AAC0-60 min), maximum percent fall in FEV1 from pre-exercise baseline, and time to recovery of FEV1 to within 5% of pre-exercise baseline.


RESULTS
Montelukast significantly reduced AAC0-60 min (265 vs 590% x min for montelukast and placebo, respectively, P < or = .05; approximately 59% protection relative to placebo) and the maximum percent fall (18% vs 26% for montelukast and placebo, respectively, P < or = .05). Montelukast treatment resulted in a shorter time to recovery (18 vs 28 minutes for montelukast and placebo, respectively, P = .079).


CONCLUSIONS
Montelukast attenuates EIB at the end of the dosing interval in 6- to 14-year-old children with asthma.
Kemp
J P
JP
Allergy and Asthma Medical Group and Research Center, San Diego, California, USA.
Dockhorn
R J
RJ
Shapiro
G G
GG
Nguyen
H H
HH
Reiss
T F
TF
Seidenberg
B C
BC
Knorr
B
B
D000085:Acetates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016084:Bronchoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D010919:Placebos; D011804:Quinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013440:Sulfides; D013607:Tablets; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000085:Acetates; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D010919:Placebos; D011804:Quinolines; D013440:Sulfides; D013607:Tablets; C093875:montelukast