A Randomized Controlled Trial of Intravenous Montelukast in Acute Asthma

• DOI: 10.1164/rccm.200208-802oc
• Publication Date: 2003-02-14T23:53:41Z
• Authors: Carlos A. Camargo; Howard A. Smithline; Marie-Pierre Malice; Stuart A. Green; Theodore F. Reiss
• Keywords: Tolerability; Leukotriene E4; Acute severe asthma

Many patients with acute asthma do not respond adequately to currently accepted therapy, including oxygen, beta-agonists, and corticosteroids. Leukotriene receptor antagonists such as montelukast have demonstrated efficacy in chronic asthma, but their is unknown. In this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group pilot study, adults moderate severe received standard therapy plus either intravenous (7 or 14 mg) matching placebo. A total of 201 were 194 had complete data available for analysis. There was no difference FEV1 response between the 7- 14-mg groups. Montelukast improved over first 20 minutes after administration (mean percentage change from prerandomization baseline, 14.8% versus 3.6% pooled placebo treatment groups, respectively; p = 0.007). This benefit observed at 10 2 hours therapy. Patients treated tended receive less beta-agonists fewer failures than receiving The tolerability profile similar that placebo, unexpected adverse experiences observed. We conclude addition causes rapid well tolerated asthma.