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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,
diarrhoea, 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
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