Effect of Add-on Montelukast to Inhaled Corticosteroids on Airway Responsiveness

Effect of Add-on Montelukast to Inhaled Corticosteroids in Excessive Airway Narrowing in Adults With Asthma

Leukotriene receptor antagonists appear to posses additive anti-inflammatory effects to the effect of inhaled corticosteroids.

Hypothesis: Treatment with oral montelukast will lower the dose-response plateau to inhaled methacholine in patients with mild to moderate persistent asthma treated with a stable dose of inhaled corticosteroids.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Non-smoking adults with mild to moderate persistent asthma:

  • FEV1 > 70 % pred
  • PD20 methacholine < 3.9 mmol
  • treated for at least 3 months with a stable dose of inhaled corticosteroids

• Documented dose-response plateau to inhaled methacholine on two occasions

• Males and non-pregnant females

Exclusion Criteria:

• Asthma medication other than inhaled corticosteroids and inhaled b2-agonists
• Viral respiratory tract infections within the 3 weeks prior to enrollment