Why have I been prescribed Accolate?

Accolate contains a medicine called zafirlukast. This belongs to a group of medicines called leukotriene antagonists.

• Accolate is used to control the symptoms of your asthma.
• It is also used to prevent your asthma from getting worse.

How does it work?

• Accolate blocks certain chemicals (leukotrienes) which cause narrowing and inflammation of the airways and also cause allergy symptoms.

When and how do I take it?

• Usually one tablet at the start of the morning and one tablet last thing at night. Your doctor may decide to increase your dose, depending on your condition. Try to take your medicine at the same times each day.
• Swallow each tablet whole with a drink of water. Do not take your tablets with a meal.

What’s the dose?

• The usual dose is one 20mg tablet taken twice a day.

Could it interact with other tablets?

• Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, or have recently taken, any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription and herbal medicines. This is because Accolate can affect the way some medicines work and some medicines can have an effect on Accolate.

In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of thr following medicines:

• Theophylline (used to treat asthma)
• Erythromycin (an antibiotic)
• Terfenadine (used to treat hayfever)
• Warfarin (used to thin the blood)
• Aspirin.

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

Common side effects include:

•  Feeling of discomfort or generally feeling unwell.
•  Stomach and gut problems, such as feeling or being sick, diarrhoea or stomach pain. These effects are usually mild.
•  Headache. This is usually mild.
•  Infections.
•  Difficulty sleeping.

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

• There are no known interactions between alcohol and Accolate. Always ask your doctor/pharmacist however as this may depend on what other tablets you are taking.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

• Accolate should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
• Accolate should not be administered to mothers who are breast feeding.

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children

Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

1. Medicines.ie Website - Accolate SPC http://www.medicines.ie/medicine/6796/SPC/Accolate+Tablets/

2. Medicines.ie Website- Accolate PIL 

3.http://www.rxlist.com/accolate-drug.htm