Brand name:
Accolate
Pronounced: ACK-o-late
Generic name: Zafirlukast
Why is Accolate prescribed?
Accolate helps prevent asthma attacks. It is prescribed for long-term
treatment.
Most important fact about Accolate
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 Accolate?
Accolate should be taken twice every day, whether or not you have
had any recent asthma attacks. Do not take Accolate 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.
Accolate side effects
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.
* Side effects may include:
Headache, infection, nausea
Why should Accolate not be prescribed?
If you have had an allergic reaction to Accolate or to any of its
ingredients, avoid Accolate.
Special warnings about Accolate
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 Accolate
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 for Accolate
ADULTS
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
