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| Pronunciation |
|
 (za
FIR loo
kast) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Accolate® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to zafirlukast or any other part of the
medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used in the prevention and long-term treatment of
asthma. It is not
for the immediate (urgent) treatment of an asthma
attack.
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| How does it work? |
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- Zafirlukast decreases the body's production of a group of chemicals
called leukotrienes that worsen
asthma.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
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- Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after
meals.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines. Erythromycin and theophylline may decrease medicine's
effect.
- Wear disease medical alert identification for asthma.
- Use caution with aspirin and aspirin-containing products. Side effects
of these medicines may be increased.
- If you are on warfarin (blood thinner) you will require more frequent
monitoring if this medicine is added.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea.
- Belly pain and cramps.
- Rarely, liver disease may
occur.
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| What should I monitor? |
|
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- Check prothrombin time/INR if you are on warfarin. Talk with
healthcare provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Nausea, vomiting, belly pain, itchy, flu-like feeling, feeling tired,
dark urine, yellow eyes or skin, not hungry.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
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- Store in the original container at room temperature. Protect from
light and moisture.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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