Prescription Required
Description
Accolate, also known generically as Zafirlukast, is an oral tablet used to treat and help prevent chronic asthma. It can also be used to help relieve hay fever symptoms (such as sneezing, stuffy nose, and watery eyes). This oral tablet is white to yellow in color and is available in 20mg dosages. This dosage amount is recommended for adults and children above the age of 11 and should be taken twice daily. It must be taken on a daily basis in order to be effective. Eating food within 1 – 2 hours of taking accolate may cause a decrease in results. Elderly users may require an adjustment in dosage as clinical trials show them to be more sensitive to the side effects and have a higher risk of adverse events (unexpected medical problems when using a treatment).
Accolate is part of a class called LRAs (leukotriene receptor antagonists), also known as leukotriene modifiers, antileukotrienes and leukotriene synthesis inhibitors. Leukotrienes are natural substances that are released by cells in your body. These substances will cause your body to produce excess mucus and cause inflammation/swelling in your lungs. This is what happens when one experiences asthma or hay fever. Zafirlukast (the active ingredient in accolate) acts as a bodyguard by blocking out the leukotrienes. Since it works by not allowing the release of leukotrienes, it will not do much to help asthma attacks that have already begun (acute asthma) as the leukotrienes have already been dispersed.
Directions
Keep this medicine stored in room temperature (20-25°C (68-77°F)), away from light in an air tight container out of reach of small children. For full effectiveness, take your recommended dose either 2 hours after eating or an hour prior. If a dose is missed, do NOT double up on dosages.
Ages 12 and up: 20MG TWICE DAILY or as directed by your doctor
Swallow the tablet whole
Do not chew or crush this tablet
Cautions
Do NOT use accolate if you suffer from liver disease or cirrhosis
Refrain from taking accolate if you are breast feeding. Accolate is not harmful to unborn babies but make sure to inform your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to be before taking accolate.
Tell your doctor if you take erythromycin or theophylline, or fluconazole (Diflucan) or if you use blood thinners (such as warfarin, jantoven, or Coumadin). Accolate should be discontinued immediately as mixing these medicines can cause ineffectiveness and/or worsening of the condition.
In very rare cases, taking accolate can cause a rare blood condition called Churg-Strauss syndrome. To avoid this, do not stop taking or reduce your dosage unless instructed otherwise by your provider.
Tell your doctor if you experience rashes, flu-like symptoms, numbness of the arms or legs or the sensation of pins and needles, severe sinus pain or congestion, as well as if you are experiencing unusual thoughts or depressed mood.
Side Effects
- Headache
- Infection
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal Pain
- Back Pain
- Pain (generalized)
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Myalgia
- Asthenia
- Dyspepsia
Please note adults ages 65 and up are more likely to experience higher sensitivity to one or multiple side effects listed above
FAQs
What is Accolate?
Accolate is a prescription medication containing a cysteinyl LRA (leukotriene receptor antagonist). It comes in the form of a tablet which is administered orally by mouth. Once it enters your body, the medication is metabolized by an enzyme located in your liver; during metabolism, inactive hydroxylated metabolites are created. With a half-life ranging between 8-16 hours, Accolate will clear the system after about 3 days through biliary excretion. We carry the brand-name product, Accolate, at My Drug Center, available to patients with a valid prescription.
What is Accolate used for?
Accolate is used for the prevention of asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath. It also helps to decrease the frequency of asthma attacks. When used regularly, Accolate can help control your asthma, improve breathing difficulties and ability to exercise, and can decrease the number of times you need to use a rescue inhaler. Additionally, your doctor may prescribed you Accolate to help with hay fever or to prevent breathing difficulties during exercise.
How does Accolate work?
Accolate is effective because it is able to block the actions of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are released by mast cells and are responsible for responding to allergies, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and asthma. When released, they can signal the body to tighten the airway muscles and to produce excess mucus and fluid. When Accolate blocks the actions of the Leukotrienes, it prevents – or at the very least, reduces – the symptoms of asthma.
What is Zafirlukast?
Zafirlukast is the cysteinyl LRA that makes Accolate therapeutically effective. In 1996, it was the first cysteinyl LRA approved for medical use in the United States. It can be used in children 5 years old and up, and is generally well tolerated in all patients, yet headache and upset stomach may occur. Zafirlukast is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream after administration and reaches plasma peak levels within 3 hours of the dose. Sometimes, Zafirlukast may be prescribed by a veterinarian for the treatment of bronchial asthma in felines (cats). In the United States, Accolate is currently the only brand-name medication containing Zafirlukast.
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