When treating asthma, what is the role of anti-leukotrienes like Montelukast?

The role of anti-leukotrienes like Montelukast is primarily in maintenance therapy for asthma management. These medications function by inhibiting leukotrienes, which are inflammatory mediators that contribute to airway constriction, mucus production, and overall asthma symptoms. By blocking these mediators, Montelukast helps to reduce inflammation and prevent bronchoconstriction, thereby facilitating better control of asthma over the long term.

In contrast to rescue medications (which provide immediate relief during an acute asthma attack) and acute attack management (which focuses on interventions at the time of a severe episode), Montelukast is not intended for immediate symptom relief but rather for long-term management of asthma by reducing the frequency and severity of asthma exacerbations. Additionally, while it can help alleviate allergic components of asthma, its primary function in this context is not as a treatment specifically targeting allergies, but rather as a maintenance therapy to stabilize the patient's condition.