Zileuton (Systemic)

Brand Names : Zyflo

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 zileuton, the following should be considered:

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

Pregnancy - Zileuton has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in rabbits have shown that this medicine causes problems when given in doses equal to the maximum human dose. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - Zileuton passes into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies. Taking zileuton is not recommended while you are breast-feeding.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients and there is no specific information comparing use of zileuton in children up to 12 years of age with use in other age groups.

Older adults - This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

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 zileuton, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Beta-adrenergic blocking agents (acebutolol [e.g., Sectral], atenolol [e.g., Tenormin], betaxolol [e.g., Betoptic, Kerlone], bisoprolol [e.g., Zebeta], carteolol [e.g., Cartrol], labetalol [e.g., Normodyne], levobunolol [e.g., Betagan], metipranolol [e.g., Optipranolol], metoprolol [e.g., Lopressor], nadolol [e.g., Corgard], oxprenolol [e.g., Trasicor], penbutolol [e.g., Levatol], pindolol [e.g., Visken], propranolol [e.g., Inderal], sotalol [e.g., Sotacor], timolol [e.g., Blocadren, Timoptic]) or
• Terfenadine (e.g., Seldane) or
• Theophylline (e.g., Theo Dur) or
• Warfarin (e.g., Coumadin) - Zileuton may increase the effects of these medicines

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of zileuton. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Active alcoholism or
• Liver disease - The chance of serious side effects may be increased