Patient/caregiver was instructed upon therapeutic uses and mechanism of action of Montelukast as follows:
- Chemical mediators called leukotrienes are increasingly produced from various inflammatory cells during inflammatory and allergic conditions involving the respiratory tract and airways, such as, asthma and COPD.
- Leukotrienes act on leukotriene receptors located in the airways, resulting in edema and swelling of airways and increased secretion of thick mucus, contributing to reduced airway patency, bronchoconstriction, and exacerbation of symptoms of asthma and COPD, leading to increased shortness of breath and effort of breathing.
- Montelukast, used along with anti-inflammatory medications, inhibits leukotriene receptors and prevents the activity of chemical mediator, leukotriene, during inflammatory and allergic responses involving the airways.
- Inhibition of leukotriene activity with Montelukast use can contribute to reduced mucus secretion in the airways, bronchodilation, and relief from spasm of airway smooth muscle.
- Reduced mucus secretion and airway dilation contribute to improvement in shortness of breath, reduced effort of breathing, and relief from exacerbation of symptoms of asthma and COPD.
- Montelukast can be used for maintenance treatment of mild persistent asthma and COPD and prevention of acute episodes, but does not help much during acute activation of asthma and COPD episodes.
- Montelukast can also be used to prevent activation of seasonal allergies and exercise-induced asthma.
