Section 2. Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm: Albuterol versus Montelukast

• Main Authors: Gene Colice, MD, FCCP, William J. Calhoun, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAAAAI, FACAAI
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2010-01-01
• Series: World Allergy Organization Journal
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1939455119304661

Exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) involves airway obstruction with an onset shortly after exercising. It can occur in individuals without a diagnosis of asthma, but is most common in asthmatic patients (and in this scenario may be referred to as exercise-induced asthma, EIA), correlating with the patient's degree of airway hyperreactivity. While albuterol is the most commonly used rescue and prophylactic medication for EIB, the leukotriene antagonist, monetlukast, may be an appropriate choice for some patients. Clinical data have shown that once-daily treatment with montelukast (5 or 10 mg tablet) can offer protection against EIB within 3 days for some patients. Such an approach might be preferred for patients who have difficulty with inhaled medications and for children who cannot access their inhalers during the school day. Montelukast also may be an option to reduce side effects associated with albuterol for individuals who exercise regularly. Keywords: asthma, exercise-induced bronchospasm, exercise-induced asthma, airway hyperreactivity, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, albuterol, montelukast