Zafirlukast (Systemic)

Brand Names : Accolate

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For zafirlukast, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to zafirlukast.

Pregnancy - Zafirlukast has not been studied in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown that this medicine causes problems only when given in doses many times higher than the usual human dose.

Breast-feeding - Zafirlukast passes into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies. Breast-feeding is not recommended while you are taking zafirlukast.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients and there is no specific information comparing use of zafirlukast in children up to 7 years of age with use in other age groups.

Older adults - In studies, mild to moderate respiratory tract infections were more likely to occur in patients 55 years of age or older taking zafirlukast. It is not known whether these infections were caused by taking zafirlukast or by other factors.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking zafirlukast, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Warfarin (e.g., Coumadin) - Zafirlukast may increase the effects of this medicine