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What is the most important information I should know about
zafirlukast?
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Contact your doctor immediately if you experience nausea,
unexplained fatigue or tiredness, itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes,
flu-like symptoms, or upper left stomach pain. These may be early signs
of liver problems. |
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Zafirlukast will not stop an asthma attack that has already begun.
It is used to prevent asthmatic attacks. |
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Use zafirlukast on a regular basis for best results. It may take
several weeks to get the maximum effect of this medication. |
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Seek medical attention if you notice that you require more than your
usual or more than the maximum amount of any asthma medication in a
24-hour period. An increased need for medication could be an early sign
of a serious asthma attack. |
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Discuss with your doctor the use of alcohol while taking zafirlukast.
Alcohol and zafirlukast can both affect the liver. |
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Zafirlukast is a leukotriene (loo-koe-try-een) inhibitor.
Leukotrienes are substances in the body that are associated with the
inflammation and constriction of airway muscles and the accumulation of
fluid in the lungs, all of which occur during an asthma attack. |
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Zafirlukast is used to prevent asthma attacks. |
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Zafirlukast may also be used for purposes other than those listed in
this medication guide. |
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
zafirlukast?
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Before taking zafirlukast, tell your doctor if you |
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You may not be able to take zafirlukast, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above. |
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Talk to your doctor before taking zafirlukast if you are taking
warfarin (Coumadin), which is used to reduce the risk of blood clot
formation. Taking these drugs together increases the risk of bleeding
and special monitoring may be required. |
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Zafirlukast is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it
is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this
medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. |
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Zafirlukast passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do
not take zafirlukast without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby. |
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If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to
experience side effects from zafirlukast. You may require a lower dose
of this medication. |
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Zafirlukast is not approved for use by children younger than 5 years
of age. |
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How should I take zafirlukast?
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Take zafirlukast exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to
explain them to you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
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Take this medication on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours
after a meal. |
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Do not stop taking zafirlukast without first talking to your doctor.
It may be some time before you begin to notice effects from this
medication. |
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Continue taking any other asthma medications, as directed by your
doctor. |
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Zafirlukast will not stop an asthma attack that has already begun.
Keep another medication on hand to treat attacks. |
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Seek medical attention if you notice that you require more than your
usual or more than the maximum amount of any asthma medication in a
24-hour period. An increased need for medication could be an early sign
of a serious asthma attack. |
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Store zafirlukast at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is
almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next
regularly scheduled dose as directed. Do not take a double dose
of this medication. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention. |
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The symptoms of an overdose of zafirlukast are unknown. |
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What should I avoid while taking zafirlukast?
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Avoid items or activities that are known allergens or that make your
symptoms worse. Clean areas where dust or pet fur may aggravate your
condition. |
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Discuss with your doctor the use of alcohol while taking zafirlukast.
Alcohol and zafirlukast can both affect the liver. |
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What are the possible side effects of zafirlukast?
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Contact your doctor immediately if you experience nausea,
unexplained fatigue or tiredness, itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes,
flu-like symptoms, or upper left stomach pain. These may be early signs
of liver problems. |
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
taking zafirlukast and seek emergency medical attention or contact your
doctor immediately: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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numbness, tingling, or pain; |
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a rash or unexplained open sores or bruising; or |
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worsening respiratory symptoms. |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take zafirlukast and talk to your doctor if you experience |
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nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to
your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect zafirlukast?
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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking
any of the following medicines: |
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erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, E.E.S., others); |
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warfarin (Coumadin); or |
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theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin, others). |
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You may not be able to take zafirlukast, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any
of the medicines listed above. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
zafirlukast. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has more information about zafirlukast written for
health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.04. Revision Date: 1/
23/ 04. |
