Testing high doses of montelukast to help children with severe asthma attacks

Dose escalation clinical trial of high-dose oral montelukast to inform future RCT in children with acute asthma exacerbations

NIH-funded research Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-10872266

This study is looking for a better way to help kids with asthma who aren't getting enough relief from their usual medications by testing a higher dose of a medicine called montelukast, to see if it can help ease their symptoms and keep them out of the hospital.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Nashville, United States)
Project IDNIH-10872266 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to reduce the severity of acute asthma exacerbations in children by testing high doses of montelukast, a medication that blocks leukotrienes, which can cause airway inflammation and constriction. The study will involve children who have not responded adequately to standard treatments like corticosteroids and albuterol. Participants will receive either high-dose montelukast or a placebo in a carefully controlled manner, with doses adjusted based on how well the medication works in their bodies. The goal is to find a treatment that can quickly alleviate symptoms and reduce the need for hospitalization.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are experiencing moderate to severe asthma exacerbations and have not responded well to standard treatments.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have asthma or those whose asthma is well-controlled with existing treatments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for children experiencing severe asthma attacks, potentially reducing hospital visits.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that montelukast can be effective in managing asthma symptoms, but this specific high-dose approach in children is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Nashville, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.