Reported To The American Academy Of Allergy, Asthma And Immunology: Pittsburgh Study Suggests Asthma Medication May Provide Relief For The Common Cold

Main Category: Immune System / Vaccines
Also Included In: Allergy;  Flu / Cold / SARS;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 28 Feb 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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Singulair, a commonly prescribed medication to treat asthma and allergies, may provide relief for the common cold, according to a study conducted by physicians in the Division of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) in Pittsburgh. The study is being presented today at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in San Diego.

"This study showed that treatment with Singulair (montelukast) resulted in a faster resolution of signs and symptoms of the common cold," said Deborah Gentile, MD, study lead investigator, and director of research, AGH Division of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

The double-blinded study examined 81 participants; 41 received a placebo and 40 received Singulair. Study participants began treatment for their cold within 24 hours of the cold's onset. They were required to continue treatment once a day for five consecutive days and were asked to complete a questionnaire on how they felt on each of those days. In addition, participants were asked that when they blew their nose, to keep the tissues in a bag to be weighed. The weight of the bags was less for patients taking Singulair than for those who weren't.

"We found that the cold symptoms and runny nose, as well as the duration of the cold, were cut in half in the group that took Singulair," Dr. Gentile explained. "Singulair works by blocking the effects of leukotrienes, chemicals that are produced by our body during episodes of inflammation or swelling and are linked to the development of cold symptoms and runny nose. The results of our study suggest that blocking leukotrienes may reduce or prevent these conditions."

Future studies are planned to examine more patients and to determine if Singulair prevents complications of the common cold, such as ear and sinus infections, wheezing and asthma.

Allegheny General Hospital
http://www.wpahs.org/agh/