Antileukotriene
Medication class that inhibits leukotriene synthesis and/or activity. / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An antileukotriene, also known as leukotriene modifier and leukotriene receptor antagonist, is a medication which functions as a leukotriene-related enzyme inhibitor (arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase) or leukotriene receptor antagonist (cysteinyl leukotriene receptors) and consequently opposes the function of these inflammatory mediators; leukotrienes are produced by the immune system and serve to promote bronchoconstriction, inflammation, microvascular permeability, and mucus secretion in asthma and COPD.[1] Leukotriene receptor antagonists are sometimes colloquially referred to as leukasts.
Antileukotrienes | |
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Drug class | |
Class identifiers | |
Synonyms | Leukotriene modifier; Leukotriene receptor antagonist |
Mechanism of action | • Enzyme inhibition • Receptor antagonism |
Biological target | • Enzymes: 5-LOX; FLAP • Receptors: CysLTRs |
Legal status | |
In Wikidata |
Leukotriene receptor antagonists, such as montelukast, zafirlukast, and pranlukast,[2][3] and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors, like zileuton and Hypericum perforatum,[4][5][6][7] can be used to treat these diseases.[1] They are less effective than corticosteroids for treating asthma,[8] but more effective for treating certain mast cell disorders.[9]