The effects of montelukast on intradermal wheal and flare.

Abstract

We sought to determine the effect of montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, on intradermal skin testing. Study design and setting We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in a university setting. After a 1-week washout of allergy pharmacotherapy, intradermal skin testing was performed on 23 atopic subjects. Whealing size was measured 20 minutes after injection. Subjects then began a 1-week regimen of daily loratadine, montelukast, or placebo. At 1 week, subjects again underwent intradermal skin testing. The change in wheal size was then calculated from baseline. A significant difference (P < 0.05) between the montelukast and loratadine groups in suppression of intradermal whealing at 1 week was observed. No significant difference was noted between the montelukast and placebo subjects. Montelukast demonstrated no significant suppression of skin whealing after antigen challenge over placebo. Montelukast does not need to be discontinued before intradermal allergy testing.