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Zafirlukast Coupon - Zafirlukast 20mg tablet

zafirlukast

Generic Accolate
Used for Asthma
Used for Asthma

Zafirlukast (Accolate) is used to help control symptoms of asthma in people age 5 years and older. It's a tablet that you take by mouth two times every day. This medication helps improve lung function over time; it's not a rescue inhaler so it isn't used when you're having an asthma attack. The most common side effect of zafirlukast (Accolate) is headache. It's available as both a brand-name and generic medication.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Cydnee Ng, PharmD
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on September 13, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Zafirlukast (Accolate)?

What is Zafirlukast (Accolate) used for?

  • Asthma (long-term treatment)

How Zafirlukast (Accolate) works

Zafirlukast (Accolate) is a leukotriene receptor antagonist. It blocks inflammatory chemicals in your body called leukotrienes from narrowing your airways and from making too much mucus in your lungs.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsAccolate
Drug ClassLeukotriene receptor antagonist
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Zafirlukast (Accolate)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Headache (13%)

Other Side Effects

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • General pain
  • Muscle or back pain
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Fever
  • Infection

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Allergic reaction: trouble breathing; hives; rash; blisters on skin; swelling of your face, lips, or tongue
  • Liver problems: upper right stomach pain, nausea, tiredness, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes
  • Changes in mood: feeling down or hopeless, thoughts of harming yourself, trouble sleeping
  • Symptoms related to high white blood cell levels: intense itching, rash, trouble breathing, worse breathing problems, tingling or numbness in hands or feet

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Cough or hoarseness

fever or chills

lower back or side pain

pain

painful or difficult urination

Rare

Abdominal or stomach pain

clay-colored stools

dark urine

diarrhea

dizziness

headache

itching

loss of appetite

nausea

rash

unpleasant breath odor

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting of blood

yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

Attack, assault, or force

attempts at killing oneself

discouragement

dry mouth

fear or nervousness

feeling sad or empty

fever with or without chills

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

hyperventilation

irregular heartbeats

irritability

lack of appetite

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

loss of interest or pleasure

restlessness

seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

shortness of breath

sleeplessness

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

tiredness

trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

trouble with concentrating

trouble with sleeping

unable to sleep

unusual bleeding or bruising

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Acid or sour stomach

back pain

belching

difficulty with moving

heartburn

indigestion

joint pain

lack or loss of strength

muscle aching or cramping

muscle pains or stiffness

stomach discomfort or upset

swollen joints

vomiting

Incidence not known

Hives or welts

redness of the skin

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Zafirlukast (Accolate)

thumbs-up

Pros

Helps control asthma symptoms in the long run

A tablet that's taken by mouth (not an inhaler)

Can use in children as young as 5 years old

Available in a lower-cost generic form

thumbs-down

Cons

Not a first-choice option to help control asthma long-term

Taken twice a day

Must take at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals

Not recommended if you have liver problems

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Zafirlukast (Accolate)

pharmacist

  • Always have your rescue inhaler with you at all times to help stop an asthma attack if it happens. Zafirlukast (Accolate) works to control your asthma over time; it doesn't help treat asthma attacks.

    • Take zafirlukast (Accolate) every day even if you don't have any asthma symptoms. This medication works to improve your overall lung function in the long run.

      • Take zafirlukast (Accolate) on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Food can affect how much medication gets absorbed into your body, which can affect how well it works.

        • Don't change the dose or stop taking zafirlukast (Accolate) or any of your other asthma medications without talking to your provider first. Your asthma symptoms might come back if it's not controlled well enough.

          • Make sure to tell your provider and pharmacist about all the medications you're taking or planning to take. They can check for any potentially serious interactions with zafirlukast (Accolate) and adjust your medications to keep you safe.

            faqs

            Frequently asked questions about Zafirlukast (Accolate)

            How well does zafirlukast (Accolate) help control asthma?
            Studies show that people with severe asthma who took zafirlukast (Accolate) for about 3 months had daytime asthma symptom scores that were 26% lower than at baseline (before they started the study). They also had 27% less nighttime awakenings from asthma symptoms and they needed to use their rescue inhaler less than at baseline. In addition, studies show that lung function greatly improved as measured by certain breathing tests that determine how powerful your exhale is.
            Is zafirlukast (Accolate) a rescue or control medication for asthma?
            Zafirlukast (Accolate) is a control (or maintenance) medication for asthma. It helps control your asthma symptoms by improving your lung function over time. It's not a rescue medication like albuterol (Ventolin) or levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA) are that are used for relieving asthma symptoms or attacks right away.
            Is zafirlukast (Accolate) a steroid?
            No, zafirlukast (Accolate) isn't a steroid. Zafirlukast (Accolate) is a leukotriene receptor antagonist. Both steroids and zafirlukast (Accolate) work to help with inflammation in the lungs and with lung function, but in different ways. Steroids target many different inflammatory chemicals, whereas zafirlukast (Accolate) blocks the specific inflammatory chemical called leukotriene.
            Can I take zafirlukast (Accolate) with food?
            No, you should take zafirlukast (Accolate) on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal). Taking it with food can cause your body to absorb less medication, which can affect how well it works.
            Does zafirlukast (Accolate) cause weight gain?
            Weight gain wasn't a side effect that was reported by people who took zafirlukast (Accolate) in clinical studies. Let your provider know if you have any unusual changes in your weight while you're taking zafirlukast (Accolate). They can check to see what might be going on.
            Is zafirlukast (Accolate) the same as Singulair?
            No, zafirlukast (Accolate) isn't the same medication as montelukast (Singulair). They're both leukotriene receptor antagonists that are used to control asthma symptoms. But montelukast (Singulair) can also help with allergies and more specifically asthma brought on by exercise. In addition, zafirlukast (Accolate) is taken twice a day on an empty stomach, whereas montelukast (Singulair) is taken only once a day and it doesn't matter if you take it with food or not. What's more, zafirlukast (Accolate) can be used for children as young as 5 years old, but children even younger than that can use montelukast (Singulair). Compare between the two medications, and ask your provider which one best fits your needs.
            Is zafirlukast (Accolate) safe during pregnancy?
            It's not known whether zafirlukast (Accolate) can harm an unborn baby. We do know that it's important to control asthma symptoms well and prevent asthma attacks during pregnancy to lower the risk of health complications in the mother and baby. Talk to your provider if you're pregnant or plan to become pregnant. They can discuss the risks and benefits of taking zafirlukast (Accolate) for your asthma during pregnancy. Your provider might recommend other asthma medications that you can safely take during pregnancy.
            Is it safe to take zafirlukast (Accolate) while breastfeeding?
            Studies show that zafirlukast (Accolate) can be found in breast milk. But there isn't any information to know whether this causes side effects in the baby when they're breastfed. The manufacturer of zafirlukast (Accolate) doesn't recommend taking zafirlukast (Accolate) if you're breastfeeding. In general, it's a good idea to talk to your provider about the risks and benefits of taking zafirlukast (Accolate) if you're breastfeeding.
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            What are the risks and warnings for Zafirlukast (Accolate)?

            Zafirlukast (Accolate) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

            risk-warning

            Not a rescue inhaler for asthma attacks

            While zafirlukast (Accolate) can control your asthma in the long run, it can't stop an asthma attack that's happening. Make sure to always have your rescue inhaler with you at all times so you can use it when these attacks happen. Continue taking zafirlukast (Accolate) as instructed by your provider if you have an asthma attack.

            risk-warning

            Liver damage

            • Risk factors: History of liver problems

              Though rare, some people taking zafirlukast (Accolate) have had liver damage. In most cases, signs and symptoms of liver damage went away when they stopped taking the medication. But in rare cases, liver damage worsened to life-threatening liver failure. Call your provider right away if you have upper right stomach pain, nausea, tiredness, yellowing of your skin or whites of the eyes, flu-like symptoms, or loss of appetite. These can be signs of liver damage.

              risk-warning

              Depression, changes in mood, and trouble sleeping

              Some people who take zafirlukast (Accolate) have reported getting depressed and having trouble sleeping. Let your provider know right away if you or your loved ones notice that you feel sad or hopeless, have lost interest in doing things that you usually enjoy, have trouble sleeping, or have other signs or symptoms of depression.

              risk-warning

              Conditions related to high levels of white blood cells

              • Risk factors: Stopping or lowering the dose of an oral corticosteroid medication

                Very rarely, some people taking zafirlukast (Accolate) had symptoms related to high levels of white blood cells (eosinophilia). Symptoms can include intense itching, rash, worsened breathing problems, trouble breathing, tingling or numbness in hands or feet, and pain and swelling of your sinuses. They might be more likely to happen if you're stopping or lowering the dose of an oral corticosteroid medication while you're taking zafirlukast (Accolate). Tell your provider right away if you notice any of these symptoms during treatment.

                risk-warning

                Higher risk of bleeding if taken with warfarin (Coumadin)

                Taking zafirlukast (Accolate) together with the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin) can raise your risk of bleeding. Let the provider who's managing your blood thinner medication know that you're taking zafirlukast (Accolate). They'll follow up with you more often to check for your risk of bleeding and adjust your warfarin (Coumadin) dose accordingly.

                dosage

                Zafirlukast (Accolate) dosage forms

                The average cost for 60 tablets of 20mg of Zafirlukast (Accolate) is $39.83 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 65.45% off the average retail price of $115.27.
                tablet
                Tablet
                DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                10mg60 tablets$40.15$0.67
                20mg60 tablets$39.83$0.66

                Typical dosing for Zafirlukast (Accolate)

                • Adults and children age 12 years or older: The typical dose is 20 mg by mouth twice a day.

                • Children ages 5 to 11 years old: The typical dose is 10 mg by mouth twice a day.

                interactions

                Interactions between Zafirlukast (Accolate) and other drugs

                Zafirlukast (Accolate) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Zafirlukast (Accolate). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                drug-cost

                How much does Zafirlukast (Accolate) cost?

                To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
                Accolate (brand)
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                $39.83

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                contraindications-icon

                Zafirlukast (Accolate) contraindications

                Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Zafirlukast (Accolate) will not be safe for you to take.
                alternatives

                What are alternatives to Zafirlukast (Accolate)?

                There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Zafirlukast (Accolate). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                Zafirlukast (Accolate)
                Used for:

                • Asthma (long-term treatment)

                $39.83 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                Montelukast (Singulair)
                Used for:

                • Seasonal allergies

                • Year-round allergies

                • Asthma

                • Exercise-induced asthma

                $8.73 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                images

                Zafirlukast (Accolate) images

                White Round 17 And V - Zafirlukast 20mg Tablet
                This medicine is White, Round Tablet Imprinted With "17" And "V".White Round 17 And V - Zafirlukast 20mg Tablet
                Pink Round R And 626 - Zafirlukast 20mg Tablet
                This medicine is Pink, Round Tablet Imprinted With "626" And "R".Pink Round R And 626 - Zafirlukast 20mg Tablet
                White Round B And 2 - Zafirlukast 20mg Tablet
                This medicine is White, Round Tablet Imprinted With "B" And "2".White Round B And 2 - Zafirlukast 20mg Tablet

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                References

                Best studies we found

                Adcock, I. M., et al. (2000). Molecular mechanisms of corticosteroid actions. Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease.

                Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). (2019). Zafirlukast. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. 

                Global Initiative for Asthma. (2023). Global strategy for asthma management and prevention (2023 update).

                View All References (4)

                Kirchner, J. T. (1999). Effectiveness of zafirlukast as monotherapy for severe asthma. American Family Physician.

                Kovalszki, A., et al. (2016). Eosinophilia. Primary Care.

                Scow, D. T., et al. (2007). Leukotriene inhibitors in the treatment of allergy and asthma. American Family Physician.

                Strides Pharma Science Limited. (2023). Zafirlukast tablet, coated [package insert]. DailyMed.

                GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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