Abstract
Montelukast is an orally dosed drug (available as a film-coated tablet, chewable tablet, or oral granules an antagonist of the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor is frequently used to treat asthma symptoms in both adults and children.This study aims to conduct a review of articles on the use of Montelukast on the experimental level. Due of the significant adverse effects of montelukast and the high prevalence of asthma in children, there is a warning by FDA regarding the use of this drug to stop this agent immediately if side effects occur. However, an intense and, at times, life-threatening withdrawal upon discontinuation of montelukast was reported including severe neuropsychiatric side effects including anxiety, depression, insomnia, suicidal thoughts and actions. Several studies with contradictory views were performed on the effect of Montelukast use on the animals.Montelukast has anti-inflammatory,antioxidant actions on several tissues.
Further research on how montelukast works and its effects on which organ, particularly on children, is incredibly important, given the enormous popularity and global distribution of this drug.
The present study analyzed the previous published case reports regarding montelukast induced adverse drug reactions. They included agitation, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, hallucinations, suicidal thinking and suicidality, tremor, dizziness, drowsiness, neuropathies and seizures. The immune system can be involved, in particular, cases of ChurgStrauss syndrome have been published. Furthermore, it can induce hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis and eosinophilic infiltration. In addition, hepatobiliary, pancreatic and uropoietic disorders have been observed. Some of these cases are characterized by severe prognosis (i.e. neurological deficit and fatal hepatotoxicity).
