Accolate
Generic name: zafirlukast
Brand Name: Accolate
Indications:
Accolate is prescribed for the chronic treatment and as a preventive measure of asthma both in adults and children of 5 years of age and above.
Dosage and Administration:
Accolate is available as 10mg and 20mg tablets for oral administration
Accolate should be taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
Adults and Children 12 years of age and older – the recommended dosage is 20mg twice a day.
Pediatric Patients 5 through 11 years of age – the recommended dosage is 10mg twice a day.
Elderly Patients (65 years of age and older) - the clearance of zafirlukast is reduced in elderly patients. In clinical trials, a dose of 20 mg twice daily was not associated with an increase in the overall incidence of adverse events or withdrawals because of adverse events in elderly patients.
Patients with Hepatic Impairment - the clearance of zafirlukast is reduced in patients with stable alcoholic cirrhosis. Accolate has not been evaluated in patients with hepatitis or in long-term studies of patients with cirrhosis.
Patients with Renal Impairment - Dosage adjustment is not required for patients with renal impairment.
Overdose?
Drugs taken in excess are unsafe. You can contact your physician, if you suspect of taking overdose. There are no concrete details regarding the effects of over dosage of the drug.
Drug Description:
Accolate is non steroidal in the form of a pill. It acts as leukotriene inhibitor. Leukotriene is a naturally produced substance in the body which is associated with inflammation, the condition of airway muscles and the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, all of which occur during an asthma attack. Daily usage of accolate can help improve your ability to exercise, and decrease the number of times you need to use your rescue inhaler and facilitate easy breathing by reducing the inflammation. This drug will reduce your asthma symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and so on.
Chemical Description:
Zafirlukast is a synthetic, selective peptide leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA), with the chemical name 4-(5-cyclopentyloxy-carbonylamino-1-methyl-indol-3-ylmethyl)-3-methoxy-N-o-tolylsulfonylbenzamide. The molecular weight of zafirlukast is 575.7 and the structural formula is:
The empirical formula is: C31H33N3O6S
Zafirlukast, a fine white to pale yellow amorphous powder, is practically insoluble in water. It is slightly soluble in methanol and freely soluble in tetrahydrofuran, dimethylsulfoxide, and acetone.
Inactive Ingredients: Film-coated tablets containing croscarmellose sodium, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, hypromellose, and titanium dioxide.
Side Effects:
The usual side effects that are seen includes wheezing or continued coughing, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, Indigestion or mild stomach ache. You are advised to seek medical help if the above side effects persist.
Precautions:
- The drug should be taken under the strict guidance of the physician.
- The drug should not be taken with food. It should be taken at least an hour before food, 2 hours after the meal.
- Intake of alcohol while taking this drug will affect the liver.
- Inform your physician immediately if you experience any new symptom.
- You have to stop taking drugs if the ailment tends to have complications.
- Accolate therapy should normally be continued during acute exacerbations of asthma, which does not allow a reduction in existing steroid treatment.
- Accolate should not be administered to mothers who are breast-feeding.
- Consult your doctor about your medical history, especially if having liver problems.
Drug Interactions
While undergoing treatment the following drugs should be avoided:
- Erythromycin
- Theophylline
- Astemizole
- Terfenadine
You are advised to consult your doctor before taking any prescription of other medicines.
