Zafirlukast
Description
Zafirlukast is an effective medicine used to prevent and treat allergic conditions such as asthma. This medicine should not be used to treat a sudden attack of asthma symptoms. It does not cure asthma but controls the symptoms of asthma.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Zafirlukast
- Cough or hoarseness
- Difficult or painful urination
- Lower back or side pain
- Fever or chills
- Dark urine
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Rash
Uses of Zafirlukast
What is it prescribed for?
- Asthma
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required by this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to zafirlukast or any other components present along with it.
Status asthmaticus
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with status asthmaticus, a severe and acute attack of asthma.
Hepatic impairment
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of hepatic impairment due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Acute Bronchospasm
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with an acute bronchospasm since it is slow acting.
Acute asthma attacks
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with acute asthma attacks since it is slow acting.
Warfarin
This medicine should be used with caution in patients taking warfarin due to the increased risk of excessive bleeding. Any symptoms such as unusual bleeding or bruising, headache, blood in urine or stools, weakness, etc. should be reported to the doctor immediately.
Hepatic dysfunction
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of hepatic impairment due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects.
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in children less than 5 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Use in Geriatrics
This medicine should be used with caution in patients greater than 65 years of age due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. The missed dose should be skipped if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Amiodarone
Leflunomide
Aspirin
Dapsone
Atorvastatin
Fentanyl
Disease interactions
Liver Disease
This medicine is not indicated for use in patients with a known history of liver impairment including liver cirrhosis due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects.
Food interactions
Food may reduce the absorption of Zafirlukast. It is advised to take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Zafirlukast as instructed by the doctor. Follow all the instructions mentioned on the label or package insert. This medicine should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal. Do not take in larger or smaller quantities than prescribed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine acts by blocking the response of certain specific chemicals that cause allergic responses in the body.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Leukotriene modifiers
Schedule
N/A
DailyMed: Zafirlukast tablet, coated [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:
EMC [Internet]. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:
Toxnet [Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:
Zafirlukast - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:
Zafirlukast: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 15 Sep 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.