Singulair (Montelukast) Reduces Local Reactions to Immunotherapy Better than Oral Antihistamine

Local reactions (LRs) are a frequent side effect of specific immunotherapy and can interfere with patients' compliance with therapy. Currently, antihistamines are the only established premedication to reduce LRs. The authors wanted to know if montelukast (Singulair) can be used instead of an antihistamine for this purpose.

Fifteen patients were included in the study and the difference almost reached a statistical significance (p = 0.054) in favor of Singulair (10 mg) versus Clarinex (5 mg).

However, the administration of montelukast during subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) may reduce the clinical and immunologic efficacy of SCIT. Induction of regulatory T cells, one of proposed therapeutic mechanisms of SCIT, was diminished in the group receiving montelukast.

Source: What's new in allergy and immunology. UpToDate, 2010.

References:
Premedication with Montelukast Reduces Local Reactions of Allergen Immunotherapy.
Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2007 May 25;144(2):137-142

Urinary leukotriene E(4)/exhaled nitric oxide ratio predicts montelukast response in childhood asthma http://goo.gl/i5cG

Related:
Image: Local reaction after SCIT on Flick.