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SINGULAIR
Out of breath
Do you suffer from asthma? You're not alone. Two million
Canadians are afflicted with the problem. But meet a molecule
that could help you breathe easier!
An allergic reaction
The main cause of asthma is leukotrienes, substances produced
by white blood cells that cause allergic reactions. Some
leukotrienes constrict the airways and cause other
symptoms that make it difficult to breathe. Asthma sufferers
can take drugs to reverse the narrowing of their airways,
but because these bronchodilators can have a number of
side effects, patients tend to stop using them.
The key to success
Montelukast is a new drug designed to be easier to use
than bronchodilators. How does it work?
Receptors on the surfaces of cells act like locks, controlling
reactions in the cells. Leukotrienes attach themselves
like keys to some of these locks, provoking an allergic
reaction. Montelukast attaches itself to the same locks,
but without causing the same kind of reaction. By blocking
the locks, it competes with leukotrienes and prevents
them from acting.
An idea that's twenty years old
In 1979, after leukotrienes were discovered, the Merck
Frosst team set to work to find a molecule that would
block their activity. In 1991, after testing no fewer
than 14,000 different compounds, the researchers developed
montelukast sodium-there are 23 successive steps in its
synthesis! Once approved by Health Canada, the drug was
marketed as Singulair in 1998.
Thanks!
The montelukast sodium molecule and Singulair samples
are on loan from Merck Frosst.
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