Accolate Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Brand name : Accolate

Pronounced: ACK-o-late

Generic name: Zafirlukast

Accolate ( ak-oh-late ) is a medicine which is used in asthma. Accolate contains zafirlukast . It is made by AstraZeneca UK Limited. Accolate helps prevent asthma attacks. It works only when used on a regular basis to help reduce inflammation and prevent asthma attacks. It is prescribed for long-term treatment. Zafirlukast, a fine white to pale yellow amorphous powder, is practically insoluble in water.In addition, leukotrienes cause inflammation of the lining of the airways which results in narrowing of the airways and increased mucus production. In asthma , Accolate works in the air passages of the lungs to make breathing easier and to help prevent asthma attacks. It is supplied as 10 and 20 mg tablets for oral administration.

Accolate Dosage:

• The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients.
• 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.
• It is generally taken twice daily in patients with asthma.
• Although data is limited, zafirlukast may be given only once daily in patients with allergic rhinitis.
• The recommended dose of Accolate in children 5through 11 years of age is 10 mg twice daily.
• The recommended dose of Accolate in adults and children 12 years and older is 20 mg twice daily.

Uses of Accolate:

• Regular use of this medication can help improve your ability to exercise, and decrease the number of times you need to use your rescue inhaler.
• This drug may also be used for hay fever and to prevent breathing problems while exercising.
• It helps to reduce asthma symptoms (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness) and control your asthma.
• It helps make breathing easier by reducing swelling (inflammation) in the airways.
• Zafirlukast is only used to prevent asthma attacks rather than to treat them.

Side Effects of Accolate:

The following side effects of Accolate may includes:

• Wheezing or continued coughing.
• Rhinitis.
• Swelling of face, lips, or eyelids.
• Indigestion.
• Headache.
• Abdominal pain.
• Nausea.
• Yellowing of the eyes or skin.
• Fatigue.
• Loss of appetite.
• Indigestion or mild stomach ache.
• Accidental injury.
• Generalized pain.
• Weakness.
• Allergic reactions (hives; swelling of the lips, tongue, face, arms, and legs; rash).

Warnings and precautions before taking 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.
• 'Accolate' therapy should normally be continued during acute exacerbations of asthma.
• 'Accolate' does not allow a reduction in existing steroid treatment.
• Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver problems.
• Remember that Accolate is not an airway-opening medication. You will still need an inhaler to stop an attack.
• This medication should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
• If you have had an allergic reaction to Accolate or to any of its ingredients, avoid Accolate.

Drug Interaction :

'Accolate' may be administered with other therapies routinely used in the management of asthma and allergy. The mean prothrombin time (PT) increased by approximately 35%. This interaction is probably due to an inhibition by zafirlukast of the cytochrome P450 2C9 isoenzyme system. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Accolate with the following:

• Aspirin (Ecotrin, Genuine Bayer, others)
• Blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin
• Heart and blood pressure medications called calcium channel blockers, including Calan, Cardizem, and Procardia
• Tolbutamide (Orinase)
• Erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, others)
• Theophylline (Theo-Dur, others)

Overdosage:

• After taking overdose, If you feel that overdose is suspected, then contact with your doctor immediately.
• Limited information exists with regard to the effects of overdosage of 'Accolate' in humans.
• Symptoms of Accolate overdose may include rash and an upset stomach.
• Overdosage with Accolate has been reported in four patients surviving reported doses as high as 200 mg.
• US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222.
• Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
• Management should be supportive. Removal of excess medication by gastric lavage may be helpful.