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.