Abstract
To review the new oral therapies available to treat asthma. A MEDLINE search was conducted to identify pertinent literature. Search terms included zafirlukast, zileuton, leukotriene antagonists and asthma, lipoxygenase inhibitors and asthma. Product package inserts were reviewed to determine product characteristics not described in the current literature. Although a significant amount of money is spent each year in the treatment and prevention of asthma, morbidity and mortality have increased over the past two decades. Treatment strategies have changed to target the underlying causes of asthma. The first noncorticosteroid oral therapies (zileuton and zafirlukast) are now available to treat the underlying components of asthma. Zafirlukast is a competitive leukotriene receptor antagonist. Zileuton blocks 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme essential for producing leukotrienes and other inflammatory mediators. Both agents are approved for the prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma in adults and children aged 12 years or older. Both zileuton and zafirlukast are additional agents with different mechanisms for the treatment of mild persistent asthma. After further research, zileuton and zafirlukast may provide additional benefit as add-on therapy in moderate-to-severe persistent asthma.
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