Use of zafirlukast helps to reduce asthma symptoms. Zafirlukast belongs to a group of drugs known as leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs). It functions by preventing the effect of several natural chemicals that inflate and constrict the airways.

An oral pill is available for zafirlukast. Typically, it is taken twice day, either one hour before or two hours after meals. Try to take zafirlukast every day at roughly the same time. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Take zafirlukast as prescribed by your doctor. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Zafirlukast should not be used to treat an asthma attack that comes on suddenly. To use during attacks, your doctor will prescribe a short-acting inhaler. Consult your doctor for advice on how to handle sudden asthma attack symptoms.

All other drugs your doctor has recommended to treat your asthma must be taken or used as directed. If your doctor has not instructed you to, do not stop taking any of your drugs or modify their dosages.

Zafirlukast may aid in managing asthma symptoms, but it cannot treat the condition. Even if you feel good, keep taking zafirlukast. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking zafirlukast.

Additionally, zafirlukast is occasionally used to treat allergic rhinitis (hay fever; runny nose, watery eyes, and other symptoms caused by an allergic reaction to pollen or other substances in the air). Zafirlukast is occasionally used to keep asthmatics from having respiratory problems while they exercise.

Before taking zafirlukast,

• If you have an allergy to zafirlukast or any other drug, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Incorporate any of the following: anticoagulants (often known as “blood thinners”) such warfarin (Coumadin); aspirin or products containing aspirin; calcium channel blockers like verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, and Verelan), amlodipine (Norvasc, in Caduet), diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac), isradipine (Dynacirc), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia, and others), nimodipine (Nimotop), and nisoldipine (Sular); erythromycin (E.E.S, Erythrocin), carbamazepine (Equetro, Tegretol), cisapride (Propulsid) (not sold in the United States), phenytoin (Dilantin), theophylline (Theo-Dur, other), erythromycin, erythromycin (E.E.S, Erythrocin), and tolbutamide. Tell your doctor about all of the drugs you are taking, including any not on this list, as other drugs may also interact with zafirlukast. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a closer eye on you for adverse effects.
• If you have liver illness now or ever had it, let your doctor know.
• If you are pregnant or want to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking zafirlukast.
• While taking zafirlukast, refrain from breastfeeding.
• You should be aware that taking zafirlukast may cause unanticipated changes in your mental health. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should contact your doctor right away: agitation, aggressive behaviour, anxiety, irritability, strange dreams, hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that are not there), depression, difficulty falling or staying asleep, restlessness, suicidal behaviour (thinking about harming or killing yourself or planning to do so), or tremor (uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body). If you should keep taking zafirlukast, your doctor will make that decision.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Side effects are possible with zafirlukast. If this symptom is severe or does not go away, let your doctor know.

• Headache

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you see any of the following signs or any of those in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section.

• Nausea
• Reduced appetite
• Your right upper tummy is hurting.
• Excessive fatigue
• Not enough energy
• Itching
• The skin or eyes turning yellow
• Flu-like signs
• Rash
• Eye, face, lip, tongue, or throat swelling
• Breathing or swallowing challenges
• Hoarseness
• Numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in the hands or feet

Other negative effects of zafirlukast are possible. If you have any strange side effects while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right once.

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it at room temperature and out of the bathroom and away from light, excessive heat, and moisture.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

• Nausea
• Rash

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To determine how you are responding to zafirlukast, your doctor may request specific lab tests.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.