za-FEER-loo-kast

Therapeutic Classification: antiasthmatics, bronchodilators

Pharmacologic Classification: leukotriene antagonists

• Long-term control agent in the management of asthma.

• Antagonizes the effects of leukotrienes, which are components of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRSA).
• These substances mediate the following:
  • Airway edema,
  • Smooth muscle constriction,
  • Altered cellular activity.
• Result is decreased inflammatory process that is part of asthma.

• Decreased frequency and severity of asthma.

Absorption: Rapidly absorbed after oral administration.

Distribution: Enters breast milk.

Protein Binding: 99%.

Metabolism/Excretion: Mostly metabolized by the liver; 10% excreted unchanged by the kidneys.

Half-life: 10 hr.

(improved symptoms of asthma)

Contraindicated in:

• Hypersensitivity
• Hepatic impairment
• Lactation: Lactation.

Use Cautiously in:

• Acute attacks of asthma
• Patients >55 yr (↑ risk of infection)
• Geri: May need lower doses to avoid side effects
• OB: Pedi: Pregnancy or children <7 yr (safety not established).

CNS: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, headache, agitation, aggression, anxiety, depression, dizziness, dream abnormalities, hallucinations, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, tremor, weakness.

GI: HEPATOTOXICITY, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting.

MS: arthralgia, back pain, myalgia.

Misc: CHURG-STRAUSS SYNDROME, fever, infection (geriatric patients), pain.

Drug-Drug:

• Levels are ↑ by aspirin and fluconazole.
• Levels are ↓ by erythromycin and theophylline.
• ↑effects and risk of bleeding with warfarin.

Drug-Food:

• Food (especially high-fat or high-protein meal) ↓ absorption.

• PO (Adults and Children 12 yr): 20 mg twice daily.
• PO (Children 7–11 yr): 10 mg twice daily.

• Tablets: 10 mg; 20 mg;

• Assess lung sounds and respiratory function before and periodically during therapy.
• Monitor closely for changes in behavior that could indicate the emergence or worsening of depression or suicidal thoughts.

• Monitor liver function periodically during therapy. May cause ↑ ALT concentrations. If liver dysfunction occurs, zafirlukast should be discontinued.

• PO: Administer at regular intervals on an empty stomach, 1 hr before or 2 hr after meals.

• Instruct patient to take medication on an empty stomach as directed, at evenly spaced intervals, even if not experiencing symptoms of asthma. Take missed doses as soon as remembered unless almost time for next dose. Do not double doses. Do not discontinue therapy without consulting health care professional.
• Instruct patient not to discontinue or reduce other asthma medications without consulting health care professional.
• Advise patient that zafirlukast is not used to treat acute asthma attacks but may be continued during an acute exacerbation.
• Advise patient, family, and caregivers to look for suicidality, especially during early therapy or dose changes. Notify health care professional immediately if thoughts about suicide or dying, attempts to commit suicide, new or worse depression or anxiety, agitation or restlessness, panic attacks, insomnia, new or worse irritability, aggressiveness, acting on dangerous impulses, mania, or other changes in mood or behavior occur.
• Advise patient to notify health care professional if symptoms of Churg-Strauss syndrome (generalized flu-like syndrome, fever, muscle aches and pain, weight loss, worsening respiratory symptoms) occur. Occurs rarely but may be life-threatening. More likely to occur when weaning from systemic corticosteroids.

• Prevention of and reduction in symptoms of asthma.

Accolate

• Ineffective airway clearance (Indications).
• Deficient knowledge, Relate med (Patient/Family Teaching).

NDC Code^*

• 0904- Major Pharmaceuticals
  • 0904-6646- Zafirlukast
    • 0904-6646-04- 30 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (0904-6646-04) > 1 TABLET, COATED in 1 BLISTER PACK

• 49884- Par Pharmaceutical, Inc.
  • 49884-549- Zafirlukast
    • 49884-549-02- 60 TABLET, COATED in 1 BOTTLE (49884-549-02)

• 49884- Par Pharmaceutical, Inc.
  • 49884-554- Zafirlukast
    • 49884-554-02- 60 TABLET, COATED in 1 BOTTLE (49884-554-02)

• 49884- Par Pharmaceutical, Inc.
  • 49884-589- Accolate
    • 49884-589-02- 60 TABLET, COATED in 1 BOTTLE (49884-589-02)

• 49884- Par Pharmaceutical, Inc.
  • 49884-590- Accolate
    • 49884-590-02- 60 TABLET, COATED in 1 BOTTLE (49884-590-02)

• 50268- AvPAK
  • 50268-805- Zafirlukast
    • 50268-805-12- 20 BLISTER PACK in 1 BOX, UNIT-DOSE (50268-805-12) > 1 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BLISTER PACK (50268-805-11)

• 55111- Dr. Reddys Laboratories Limited
  • 55111-625- Zafirlukast
    • 55111-625-01- 100 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (55111-625-01)

• 55111- Dr. Reddys Laboratories Limited
  • 55111-625- Zafirlukast
    • 55111-625-05- 500 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (55111-625-05)

• 55111- Dr. Reddys Laboratories Limited
  • 55111-625- Zafirlukast
    • 55111-625-30- 30 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (55111-625-30)

• 55111- Dr. Reddys Laboratories Limited
  • 55111-625- Zafirlukast
    • 55111-625-60- 60 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (55111-625-60)

• 55111- Dr. Reddys Laboratories Limited
  • 55111-625- Zafirlukast
    • 55111-625-78- 10 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (55111-625-78) > 10 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BLISTER PACK (55111-625-79)

• 55111- Dr. Reddys Laboratories Limited
  • 55111-626- Zafirlukast
    • 55111-626-01- 100 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (55111-626-01)

• 55111- Dr. Reddys Laboratories Limited
  • 55111-626- Zafirlukast
    • 55111-626-05- 500 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (55111-626-05)

• 55111- Dr. Reddys Laboratories Limited
  • 55111-626- Zafirlukast
    • 55111-626-30- 30 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (55111-626-30)

• 55111- Dr. Reddys Laboratories Limited
  • 55111-626- Zafirlukast
    • 55111-626-60- 60 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE (55111-626-60)

• 55111- Dr. Reddys Laboratories Limited
  • 55111-626- Zafirlukast
    • 55111-626-78- 10 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (55111-626-78) > 10 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BLISTER PACK (55111-626-79)

• 68084- American Health Packaging
  • 68084-059- Zafirlukast
    • 68084-059-21- 30 BLISTER PACK in 1 BOX, UNIT-DOSE (68084-059-21) > 1 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BLISTER PACK (68084-059-11)

• 68151- Carilion Materials Management
  • 68151-1977- Zafirlukast
    • 68151-1977-6- 1 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 PACKAGE (68151-1977-6)