What are the side effects of leukotriene inhibitors?
Although leukotriene inhibitors generally have few side effects and those may subside as the body adjusts to the drug, headaches are common with these medications. Headaches occur in 18–19% of those taking montelukast and in 25% of those taking zileutin. Among 7 to 11 year olds on zanfirlukast, 4.5% suffer from headaches, as do 12.9% of those aged 12 and over. Other less common side effects of leukotriene inhibitors include: • rash • fatigue • dizziness • abdominal pain • nausea and vomiting • diarrhea Montelukast appears to cause fewer side effects than other leukotriene inhibitors and is less likely to affect the liver. Side effects occurring in less than 4.2% of patients include: • heartburn • weakness • fever • nasal congestion • cough • dental pain • rarely, pus in the urine Rare side effects of zileuton include: • itching • flu-like symptoms • upper right abdominal pain • yellow eyes or skin (jaundice) Source: The Gale Group.
