Drug Facts

Type of Drug:

Anti-asthma drug.

How the Drug Works:

Zileuton inhibits the formation of certain chemicals (leukotrienes) that are responsible for causing some forms of asthma. Montelukast and zafirlukast block the action of certain chemicals (leukotrienes) that are responsible for causing some forms of asthma.

These drugs are useful for controlling or preventing some forms of asthma but do not help during an acute asthma attack.

Uses:

For the prevention and chronic treatment of asthma in adult and children 2 years of age and older (montelukast), 7 years of age and older (zafirlukast), and 12 years of age and older (zileuton).

Precautions:

Phenylketonuria: Montelukast chewable tablets contain phenylalanine. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women. Use only if clearly needed and potential benefits to the mother outweigh the possible hazards to the fetus.

Breastfeeding: Zafirlukast appears in breast milk. Do not breastfeed while taking zafirlukast. It is not known if zileuton or montelukast appear in breast milk. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Children: Safety and effectiveness for use in children younger than 12 years of age (zileuton), younger than 5 years of age (zafirlukast), and younger than 2 years of age (montelukast) are not established.

Elderly: Patients older than 65 years of age are more likely to experience infections while taking zafirlukast. These infections are usually mild to moderate and mostly affect the respiratory tract.

Lab Tests: Lab tests may be required to monitor therapy. Tests may include breathing tests. Liver enzymes will be monitored with zileuton therapy.

Drug Interactions:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or planning to take any over­the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements while taking a leukotriene receptor antagonist or formation inhibitor. Doses of one or both drugs may need to be modified or a different drug may need to be prescribed. The following drugs and drug classes may interact with leukotriene receptor antagonists or formation inhibitors:

• Aspirin (zafirlukast only)
• Calcium channel blockers (eg, nifidipine) (zafirlukast and zileuton only)
• Cyclosporine (eg, Sandimmune) (zafirlukast and zileuton only)
• Erythromycin (eg, E-Mycin) (zafirlukast only)
• Propranolol (eg, Inderal) (zileuton only)
• Theophylline (eg, Thea-Our) (zafirlukast and zileuton only)
• Warfarin (eg, Caumadin) (zafirlukast and zileuton only)

Side Effects:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many equestrienne receptor antagonist or formation inhibitor users experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency or severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Nervous System: Headache; weakness; dizziness; sleeplessness; nervousness; drowsiness; fatigue.

Digestive Tract: Nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; stomach pain; indigestion; gas; constipation.

Other: Infection; accidental injury; generalized pain; muscle, chest, joint, leg, or back pain; fever; eye inflammation; stiffness; swollen lymph nodes; general body discomfort; neck pain; itching; urinary tract infection; inflammation of the vagina; flu; cough; nasal congestion; dental pain; rash; laryngitis; sore throat; ear pain or inflammation; sinus inflammation; viral infection; thirst; sneezing; hives; pus in the urine.

Guidelines for Use:

• Dosage is individualized. Take exactly as prescribed.
• These medicines are used for long-term control or prevention of asthma and should be taken regularly as prescribed, even during symptom­free periods. They should also be continued during acute exacerbations of asthma.
• Do not decrease the dose or stop taking any other asthma medications unless instructed by your doctor.
• Take affiliate 2 times a day on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
• Take zileuton 4 times a day with meals and at bedtime.
• Take montelukast once a day in the evening without regard to meals. Take with food if stomach upset occurs.
• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed or it is necessary to establish a new dosage schedule, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
• May cause dizziness. Use caution when driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, coordination or physical dexterity.
• These medicines are not broncobusters and should not be used as “rescue medicines” to treat acute episodes of asthma.
• Do not breastfeed while taking zafirlukast.
• Contact your doctor if you need your short acting broncobusters (”rescue medicines”) more often than usual.
• Contact your doctor if you are taking zileuton and experience right upper quadrant pain, nausea, tiredness, unconsciousness, itchiness, yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, “flu-like” symptoms, or unusually dark urine.
• Lab tests may be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments.
• Store at controlled room temperature (68° to 77°F). Protect from light and moisture.

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