A clinical review of montelukast in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis

• Published in: Formulary (Cleveland, Ohio) Vol. 38; no. 6; p. 368
• Main Authors: Gonyeau, Michael J, Pa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: North Olmsted Intellisphere, LLC 01-06-2003; MultiMedia Healthcare Inc
• Subjects: Allergens; Allergies; Asthma; Care and treatment; Chronic illnesses; Clinical trials; Disease; Dosage and administration; Drug therapy; Evaluation; FDA approval; Hay fever; Histamine; Immunology; Montelukast; Pathophysiology; Quality of life; Rhinitis; Steroids; United States
• ISSN: 1082-801X; 1938-1166

Seasonal allergic rhinitis is a disease characterized by sneezing, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, and itching, conventionally treated with intranasal corticosteroids and anti-histamines. The leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast (Singulair, Merck) recently gained FDA approval for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. This review will evaluate published literature comparing the efficacy of montelukast to current therapeutic seasonal allergic rhinitis options. Articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PreMEDLINE between 1990 and week 8 of 2003. While studies have shown the efficacy of montelukast in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, there are no published clinical efficacy trials to date to support the use of montelukast alone or in combination with antihistamines as a superior therapy to intranasal corticosteroids in the management of seasonal allergic rhinitis. When combined with current economic considerations, the primary role of montelukast appears to be as an adjunct agent in patients whose seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms cannot be controlled with intranasal corticosteroids or nonsedating antihistamines alone.(Formulary 2003;38:368-378.) [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]