Neuropsychiatric events associated with montelukast in patients with asthma: a systematic review

A Longitudinal Analysis of Black Box Warnings: Trends and Implications for Drug Safety

A black box warning, signaling potential life-threatening adverse effects of medications or medical devices, is crucial for public and healthcare professional awareness. Comprehending and adhering to these warnings can prevent serious harm. This review aims to elucidate their significance. Data on drugs with black box warnings were collected from the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) official website using the search term 'Boxed warnings' from January 1, 2015, to January 31, 2024. A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, USA) containing black box warnings for this period was downloaded from the FDA's website. Additional parameters, such as drug class and whether the warnings were new or existing, were added to the downloaded spreadsheet. The collected data were organized by year, categorizing new and existing warnings, along with details on the evidence source, system-wise classification, and black box warnings for commonly used drugs, including their clinical significance. Results show that in the past decade, 40% of black box warnings were issued in 2023, followed by 12% in 2022. Most warnings (67%) comprised existing ones with minor revisions while 29% were new. Nine existing warnings were removed during the period. Post-marketing studies predominantly provided evidence for these warnings. Neuropsychiatric concerns like addiction potential (31%), suicidal tendency (7%), and hypersensitivity reactions (12%) were the frequently encountered black box warnings. Black box warnings play a crucial role in highlighting the serious adverse effects of medications. Neuropsychiatric warnings have been frequent over the past decade. Awareness of these warnings is essential to prevent adverse effects and enhance patient care, especially concerning drugs like guaifenesin/hydrocodone bitartrate, zolpidem, and montelukast commonly encountered in clinical practice.

Promising Effects of Montelukast for Critically Ill Asthma Patients via a Reduction in Delirium

Background: Montelukast (MTK), a potent antagonist of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1, has shown therapeutic promise for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. Delirium, a common complication in critically ill patients, lacks effective treatment. This study aims to explore the impact of pre-intensive care unit (ICU) MTK use on in-hospital delirium incidence and, subsequent, prognosis in critically ill patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study (n = 6344) was conducted using the MIMIC-IV database. After propensity score matching, logistic/Cox regression, E-value sensitivity analysis, and causal mediation analysis were performed to assess associations between pre-ICU MTK exposure and delirium and prognosis in critically ill patients. Results: Pre-ICU MTK use was significantly associated with reduced in-hospital delirium (OR: 0.705; 95% CI 0.497-0.999; p = 0.049) and 90-day mortality (OR: 0.554; 95% CI 0.366-0.840; p = 0.005). The association was more significant in patients without myocardial infarction (OR: 0.856; 95% CI 0.383-0.896; p = 0.014) and could be increased by extending the duration of use. Causal mediation analysis showed that the reduction in delirium partially mediated the association between MTK and 90-day mortality (ACME: -0.053; 95% CI -0.0142 to 0.0002; p = 0.020). Conclusions: In critically ill patients, MTK has shown promising therapeutic benefits by reducing the incidence of delirium and 90-day mortality. This study highlights the potential of MTK, beyond its traditional use in respiratory disease, and may contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for delirium.

The pharmacotherapeutic management of allergic rhinitis in people with asthma

INTRODUCTION

Up to 90% of asthmatic patients have comorbid allergic rhinitis (AR). Although appropriate therapy of AR can improve asthma symptoms and management, AR is often underdiagnosed and under-treated in asthmatics.A non-systematic literature research was conducted on AR as a comorbidity and risk factor of asthma. Latest international publications in medical databases, international guidelines, and the Internet were reviewed.

AREAS COVERED

Based on the conducted literature research there is proved evidence of the necessity of diagnosis and treatment of AR in patients with asthma because it affects health care utilization. Therefore, it is recommended in national and global guidelines.

EXPERT OPINION

AR increases the risk of asthma development and contributes to the severity of an existing asthma. Early treatment of AR with drugs as intranasal steroids, antihistamines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and especially allergen-specific immunotherapy can reduce the risk of asthma development and the concomitant medication use in addition to severity of symptoms in AR and asthma.