Zafirlukast (
Accolate®) is a prescription medication used to prevent
asthma attacks in adults and children as young as five years old.
Zafirlukast is made by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.
How Does Zafirlukast Work?
Zafirlukast is part of a group of medications called leukotriene modifiers. Leukotrienes are chemicals produced by the body in response to allergens or other problems. In the lungs, leukotrienes cause swelling and inflammation in the airways and constriction of the muscles of the respiratory tract.
Zafirlukast works by blocking leukotriene receptors, which prevents leukotriene chemicals from causing
asthma symptoms.
In previous studies of zafirlukast for asthma, people taking zafirlukast had improved breathing and fewer daytime and nighttime asthma symptoms, compared to those not taking the medicine. Zafirlukast was also shown to be safe and effective for treating
asthma in children as young as five years old.