Montelukast versus salmeterol in patients with asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Montelukast/Salmeterol Exercise Study Group.
BACKGROUND
Montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, and salmeterol, a long-acting beta(2)-receptor agonist, each have demonstrated benefits in the treatment of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in short-term studies. Direct comparisons between these agents in long-term studies are limited.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to compare montelukast and salmeterol in the long-term treatment of EIB.


METHODS
One hundred ninety-seven patients with mild asthma and a postexercise fall in FEV(1) of at least 18% were randomized (double-blind) to receive montelukast 10 mg once daily or salmeterol 50 microg twice daily for 8 weeks. Exercise challenge was repeated at day 3, week 4, and week 8 after randomization near the end of the dosing interval for both drugs. The primary efficacy endpoint was the maximal percent fall in postexercise FEV(1) at week 8.


RESULTS
Montelukast was effective in treating EIB without inducing tolerance and provided superior (P </=.001) protection than salmeterol at weeks 4 and 8, with comparable protection at day 3. The frequency of respiratory clinical adverse events (P =.046) and discontinuations because of clinical adverse events (P =.052) were less with montelukast.


CONCLUSIONS
The effect of montelukast was greater than that of salmeterol in the chronic treatment of EIB over a period of 8 weeks in patients with mild asthma as demonstrated by effect size, maintenance of effect, and fewer respiratory clinical adverse events during the study period. Montelukast may be a better alternative to salmeterol as a controller agent for the chronic treatment of EIB.
Villaran
C
C
Clinica Ricardo Palma, Lima.
O'Neill
S J
SJ
Helbling
A
A
van Noord
J A
JA
Lee
T H
TH
Chuchalin
A G
AG
Langley
S J
SJ
Gunawardena
K A
KA
Suskovic
S
S
Laurenzi
M
M
Jasan
J
J
Menten
J
J
Leff
J A
JA
D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011804:Quinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013440:Sulfides
D000085:Acetates; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D011804:Quinolines; D013440:Sulfides; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; C093875:montelukast; D000420:Albuterol