leukotriene receptor antagonist

A leukotriene receptor antagonist is an anti-inflammatory tablet for asthma, taken by mouth rather than inhaled. It blocks one specific family of inflammatory messengers — the leukotrienes — that the body releases to tighten airways and stir up swelling and mucus.

Leukotrienes are signalling chemicals made by immune cells during an asthmatic or allergic response; by occupying the receptors they would dock onto, this drug class blunts the resulting bronchoconstriction, inflammation, and mucus production. Because it is a once-daily pill, it is convenient and well suited to people who struggle with inhaler technique or who also have allergic rhinitis.

It is generally an add-on rather than a first-line controller: inhaled steroids are usually more effective for asthma, so a leukotriene antagonist is added when symptoms persist, or used in milder or exercise-related and allergy-driven asthma. It is usually well tolerated, but regulators have flagged uncommon neuropsychiatric effects such as mood changes and sleep disturbance that warrant attention.