Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and oral leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA) are effective drugs used in the management of asthma as controller monotherapy in adolescents and adults, although there are debates as to which one is better.

Objectives:  To thoroughly compare the efficacy and tolerability of ICS versus LTRA in adolescents and adults with mild to moderate asthma. Methods: Relative database were searched for the review. Randomized controlled trials of more than or equal to 4 weeks’ treatment duration comparing ICS with LTRA were reviewed.

Results and conclusion:  24 trials with 6197 randomized adolescents and adults with mild to moderate asthma met the inclusion criteria with a minimum duration of 4 weeks’ treatment. Significant differences favour...