Role of antileukotrienes in acute asthma exacerbations

Domenico Lorenzo Urso, Daniele Vincenzo, Lorenzo Formaro, Ada Federico, Giuseppe Urso

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7175/rhc.v3i2.155

Abstract

Acute asthma exacerbations are one of the most frequent reasons to visit the emergency department or general practitioner. Although current standard treatments for acute asthma – including supplemental oxygen, short-acting β2-agonists, systemic corticosteroids and anticholinergics – are quite effective in most patients, they are inadequate for rapid and sustained improvement in a significant proportion. The antileukotrienes, a relatively new class of drugs, have a role in the treatment of chronic asthma. Their relatively rapid onset of action after endovenous or oral administration and their additive effect to β2-agonists led to the hypothesis that they might be of benefit in acute asthma. This review examines the efficacy of antileukotrienes in the treatment of acute asthma.

Keywords

Acute asthma; Antileukotrienes; Cysteinil-leukotrienes; Airways inflammation

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