Clinical studies of the DP1 antagonist laropiprant in asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Background: Prostaglandin D(2) is a proinflammatory mediator believed to be important in asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR). Allelic variants in the prostaglandin D(2) receptor type 1 (DP1) gene (PTGDR) have been suggested to be associated with asthma susceptibility.

Objectives: We sought to investigate the efficacy of the DP1 antagonist laropiprant (alone or with montelukast) in asthma and seasonal AR and explore whether sequence variations in PTGDR are associated with asthma severity.

Onset and duration of protection against exercise-induced bronchoconstriction by a single oral dose of montelukast.

Background: Leukotriene modifiers have been shown to protect against exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) with repeated, chronic dosing.

Objective: To study the onset and duration of protection against EIB after a single dose of montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist.

Methods: In this randomized, crossover, double-blind study, 51 adult asthma patients with EIB (> or = 20% postexercise decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]) received a single oral dose of montelukast (10 mg), or placebo followed by exercise challenge 2, 12, and 24 hours after dosing.

Rofecoxib in the acute treatment of migraine: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of rofecoxib and ibuprofen for acute migraine treatment.

Background: Rofecoxib was effective and well tolerated in a previous study of treatment of a single migraine attack. We sought to replicate these findings for a single attack and also study the clinical profile of rofecoxib in the acute treatment of multiple migraine attacks.