FOCUS ON ZILEUTON - THE FIRST FDA-APPROVED AGENT OF A NEW CLASS OF DRUGS - THE 5-LIPOXYGENASE INHIBITOR - FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF ASTHMA

Zileuton, a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, is FDA-approved for the prophyla xis and chronic treatment of asthma. The drug is administered. orally and may be given with meals and at bedtime to enhance compliance. In c linical trials, zileuton was associated with significant improvements in FEV1 FVC, beta-agonist use, symptoms, exacerbations requiring corti costeroid rescue, and quality of life. In addition, data suggest that the combination of inhaled corticosteroids and. zileuton is as effecti ve as higher doses of inhaled corticosteroids alone in the control of asthma Zileuton is well tolerated in comparison with placebo; however elevations in liver enzymes are observed in some patients. Due to zile uton's effect on the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of drug interactions with other agents met abolized via this system. In summary, zileuton is a relatively safe an d effective anti-inflammatory agent that will provide clinicians with an additional therapeutic option for the management of chronic asthma.