Accolate

Generic name: Zafirlukast
Drug class: Leukotriene modifiers

Usage of Accolate

Accolate is a leukotriene (loo-koe-TRY-een) inhibitor that is used to prevent asthma attacks in adults and children as young as 5 years old.

Accolate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Accolate side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, blisters, severe itching; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your doctor right away if you have signs of blood vessel inflammation: flu-like symptoms, severe sinus pain, a skin rash, numbness or a "pins and needles" feeling in your arms or legs.

Some people using Accolate have had new or worsening mental problems. Stop taking Accolate and call your doctor right away if you have unusual changes in mood or behavior, such as:

agitation, aggression, feeling restless or irritable;

anxiety, depression, confusion, problems with memory or attention;

stuttering, tremors, uncontrolled muscle movements;

suicidal thoughts or actions;

hallucinations, sleep problems, vivid dreams, sleep-walking; or

compulsive or repetitive behaviors.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

worsening or no improvement in your asthma symptoms; or

liver problems--nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of Accolate may include:

nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain;

headache; or

cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Accolate

You should not use Accolate if you are allergic to it, or if you have liver disease (including cirrhosis).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had liver disease.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 5 years old.

The chewable tablet may contain phenylalanine and could be harmful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

It is not known if Accolate will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using Accolate.

Relate drugs

How to use Accolate

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Accolate is not a fast-acting rescue medicine for asthma attacks. Seek medical attention if your breathing problems get worse quickly, or if you think your medications are not working.

Take on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Your dose needs may change due to surgery, illness, stress, or a recent asthma attack. Do not change your dose or stop using asthma medication without your doctor's advice.

Keep using Accolate as directed, even if you have no asthma symptoms.

If you take oral steroid medicine, do not stop it suddenly. Ask your doctor about tapering your dose.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Warnings

Tell your doctor right away if you have signs of blood vessel inflammation: flu-like symptoms, severe sinus pain, a skin rash, numbness or a "pins and needles" feeling in your arms or legs.

Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have any unusual changes in mood or behavior (such as agitation, confusion, depression, sleep problems, compulsive behaviors, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts or actions).

What other drugs will affect Accolate

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

erythromycin;

fluconazole;

theophylline; or

warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Accolate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

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