Difference between revisions of "Montelukast"

Latest revision as of 10:19, 20 September 2010

Montelukast (trade name Singulair), is a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) used for the maintenance treatment of asthma and to relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies.^[1] It is usually administered orally. Montelukast is a CysLT₁ antagonist; that is it blocks the action of leukotriene D4 (and secondary ligands LTC4 and LTE4) on the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor CysLT₁ in the lungs and bronchial tubes by binding to it. This reduces the bronchoconstriction otherwise caused by the leukotriene, and results in less inflammation.

Because of its method of operation, it is not useful for the treatment of acute asthma attacks. Again because of its very specific focus of operation, it does not interact with other asthma medications such as theophylline.

Another leukotriene receptor antagonist is zafirlukast (Accolate), taken twice daily. Zileuton (Zyflo), an asthma drug taken four times per day, blocks leukotriene synthesis by inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme of the eicosanoid synthesis pathway.

The Mont in Montelukast stands for Montreal, the place where Merck developed the drug ^[2]

Side effects

Side effects include gastrointestinal disturbances, hypersensitivity reactions, sleep disorders and increased bleeding tendency, aside from many other generic adverse reactions. Its use is associated with a higher incidence of Churg-Strauss syndrome (whether or not this drug is 'unmasking' subclinical Churg-Strauss is as yet uncertain). In March, 2008 the FDA announced that it would investigate whether mood changes and suicidal thoughts are possible side effects of drugs in this class, including the popular drug Singulair, which currently lists these side effects.^[3]

On June 12, 2009 the Food and Drug Administration concluded their review into the possibility of neuropsychiatric side effects with leukotriene modulator drugs. Although clinical trials only revealed an increased risk of insomnia, post-marketing surveillance showed that the drugs are associated with a possible increase in suicidal behaviour and other side effects such as agitation, aggression, anxiousness, dream abnormalities and hallucinations, depression, irritability, restlessness and tremor.^[4]

Use with loratadine

Schering-Plough and Merck have sought permission to market a combined tablet with loratadine (Claritin) and montelukast (Singulair), as many patients combine the two themselves. However, the FDA has found no benefit from a combined pill for seasonal allergies over taking the two drugs in combination,^[5] and on April 25, 2008, issued a "not approvable" letter for the combination.^[6]

Patent(s)

Singulair is covered by U.S. Patent No. 5,565,473^[7] which is set to expire (by pediatric extension) on August 3, 2012^[8].

References

External links

• U.S. National Library of Medicine: Drug Information Portal - Montelukast

es:Montelukast fa:مونته لوکاست fr:Montélukast it:Montelukast he:סינגולייר no:Montelukast

1. ↑ Lipkowitz, Myron A. and Navarra, Tova (2001) The Encyclopedia of Allergies (2nd ed.) Facts on File, New York, p. 178, ISBN 0-8160-4404-X
2. ↑ http://www.merckfrosst.ca/mfcl/en/corporate/research/accomplishments/singulair.html
3. ↑ FDA Investigates Merck Drug-Suicide Link
4. ↑ Updated Information on Leukotriene Inhibitors: Montelukast (marketed as Singulair), Zafirlukast (marketed as Accolate), and Zileuton (marketed as Zyflo and Zyflo CR). Food and Drug Administration. Published June 12, 2009. Accessed June 13, 2009.
5. ↑ Health Blog : FDA Sneezes at Claritin-Singulair Combo Pill
6. ↑ Schering-Plough press release - Schering-Plough/MERCK Pharmaceuticals Receives Not-Approvable Letter from FDA for Loratadine/Montelukast
7. ↑ 5,565,473
8. ↑ Singular patent details