Treatment guidelines have been developed that emphasise the
achievement of asthma control and which may assist in reducing
the burden of this disease. Understanding the pathophysiology
of asthma has identified inflammatory mediators which do not
appear to be blocked by corticosteroid therapy. Leukotriene
receptor antagonists have demonstrated efficacy by targeting
these mediators, thus proving to be an alternate to ICS when
treating chronic asthma. Clinical studies have demonstrated that
montelukast is able to modify the pathophysiological mechanisms
of asthma, therefore earning its place in the treatment of chronic
persistent asthma in adults and children.