Brand name: Accolate
Pronounced: ACK-o-late
Generic name: Zafirlukast
Why is this drug prescribed?
Accolate helps prevent asthma attacks. It is prescribed for long-term treatment.
Most important fact about this drug
Accolate will not stop an asthma attack once it starts. You will still need to use an airway-opening medication when an attack occurs.
How should you take this medication?
Accolate should be taken twice every day, whether or not you have had any recent asthma attacks. Do not take the medication with food. Allow at least 1 hour to pass before eating, or wait for 2 hours after a meal. You can continue to take Accolate while using another medication to stop an attack.
--If you miss a dose...
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
--Storage instructions...
Store at room temperature in a dark, dry place.
What side effects may occur?
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Accolate.
More common side effects may include:
Headache
infection
nausea
Less common side effects may include:
Accidental injury
abdominal pain
allergic reactions (hives
swelling of the lips, tongue, face, arms, and legs; rash)
back pain
diarrhea
dizziness
fever
generalized pain
indigestion
joint pain
muscle aches
vomiting
weakness
Why should this drug not be prescribed?
If you have had an allergic reaction to Accolate or to any of its ingredients, avoid this drug.
Special warnings about this medication
While taking Accolate, you should not stop or even cut down on any other asthma medication you are using unless your doctor recommends it. Remember that Accolate is not an airway-opening medication. You will still need an inhaler to stop an attack.
If you have been taking an oral steroid drug and your doctor does decide to cut back the dosage, there is a remote chance that complications will follow. Inform your doctor of any new symptoms.
Also call your doctor if you develop any of the following: pain in the upper right abdomen, nausea, fatigue, lethargy, loss of appetite, itching, flu-like symptoms, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). These are signs of a liver problem--a rare side effect of Accolate that tends to develop more often in women. If tests show the problem to be serious, you'll have to stop using the drug. The symptoms will disappear once you stop.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication
A full stomach can reduce Accolate's effectiveness. Do not take with meals.
If Accolate is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Accolate with the following:
Aspirin (Ecotrin, Genuine Bayer, others)
Astemizole (Hismanal)
Blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
Erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, others)
Heart and blood pressure medications called calcium channel blockers, including Calan, Cardizem, and Procardia
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Terfenadine (Seldane)
Theophylline (Theo-Dur, others)
Tolbutamide (Orinase)
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Accolate should be taken during pregnancy only if clearly needed. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
Accolate does find its way into breast milk and should not be taken by nursing mothers.
Recommended dosage
ADULTS
The usual dose for adults and children 12 years of age and over is 20 milligrams twice a day.
CHILDREN
The usual dose for children 7 to 11 years of age is 10 milligrams twice a day. Safety and effectiveness in children under 7 years of age have not been established.
Overdosage
Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
Symptoms of Accolate overdose may include:
Rash
upset
stomach
