The effects of montelukast on intradermal wheal and flare

OBJECTIVE: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: Montelukast demonstrated no significant suppression of skin whealing after antigen challenge over placebo. SIGNIFICANCE., Montelukast does not need to be discontinued before intradermal allergy testing.