Leukotriene receptor antagonists in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
OBJECTIVE
To review the literature examining the clinical use of leukotriene receptor antagonists in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.


METHODS
Biomedical literature accessed through MEDLINE (1990-November 2000) and Current Contents (week 35 of 1999 to week 48 of 2000). Key terms included leukotriene antagonists, montelukast, zafirlukast, and rhinitis (allergic).


RESULTS
Preliminary evidence on the clinical use of either montelukast or zafirlukast as monotherapy is equivocal, with one study noting benefit and another noting lack of benefit in symptom amelioration. A third study suggests that these agents may have a role in further modifying allergic rhinitis symptoms when used in combination with standard treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
Future large-scale studies should assess the efficacy of these agents in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, in particular, to identify subsets of patients likely to derive the most benefit. Available data suggest it is reasonable and safe to add these agents to standard therapy if symptomatology remains unresolved.
Maynard
M L
ML
Division of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.
Ernst
M E
ME
D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D011804:Quinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013440:Sulfides; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014105:Tosyl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000085:Acetates; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D007211:Indoles; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D011804:Quinolines; D013440:Sulfides; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; C093875:montelukast; C062735:zafirlukast