Accolate

Main use	Active ingredient	Manufacturer
Asthma	Zafirlukast	AstraZeneca

How does it work?

Zafirlukast acts by blocking the action of leukotrienes which are chemicals released by the body as part of the inflammation response.

Leukotrienes act in many areas of the body. In the lungs, they act in two ways causing the airways to narrow. They cause the muscles lining the airways to contract thereby making the airways smaller. In addition, leukotrienes cause inflammation of the lining of the airways which results in narrowing of the airways and increased mucus production.

By blocking the actions of leukotrienes, zafirlukast prevents the increased mucus production, inflammation and narrowing of the airways that occurs in asthma. This helps prevent asthma attacks from occurring. Zafirlukast is only used to prevent asthma attacks rather than to treat them.

What is it used for?

• Asthma

Warning!

• If you take corticosteroids you should continue to take them while taking this medicine, even if your symptoms improve.
• This medicine should never be used to treat asthma attacks - you should keep your normal reliever inhaler, eg salbutamol or terbutaline, ready for this. Consult your doctor if you need to use your reliever more frequently than normal, or if it becomes less effective at treating attacks.

Use with caution in

• Elderly people

Not to be used in

• Children under 12 years of age
• Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient
• Liver disease
• Moderately decreased kidney function

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

• This medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
• This medicine passes into breast milk. It is recommended that mothers should avoid using this medicine while breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

• Take this medication an hour before food or on an empty stomach.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Headache
• Diarrhoea
• Allergy to active ingredients (hypersensitivity)
• Skin rashes
• Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe swelling of lips, face or tongue (angioedema)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

Zafirlukast inhibits the breakdown of warfarin (anticoagulant) thereby increasing its anticoagulant effect.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredients

Zafirlukast