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

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...

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Bibliographic Details
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
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Summary: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]
ISSN:1082-801X
1938-1166