Levokast Ab Tablet is a respiratory medication, primarily used to treat and prevent respiratory disorders like asthma attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Asthma is a breathing problem in which airways narrow, swell and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty breathing. COPD is a group of lung diseases that mainly include emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes). Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nose caused by an allergen, such as pollen, dust, mould, or flakes of skin from certain animals.

Levokast Ab Tablet is a combination of two medicines: Acebrophylline (bronchodilator) and Montelukast (leukotriene receptor antagonist). Acebrophylline works by relaxing muscles and widening the airways of the lungs. Acebrophylline also has mucoregulating/mucolytic (dissolves thick mucus and helps relieve breathing difficulties) and anti-inflammatory properties. Montelukast blocks the leukotrienes (chemicals released in response when a body comes in contact with an allergen), thereby reducing inflammation and swelling in the nose. It also inhibits bronchoconstriction (narrowing of airways in the lungs that lead to breathing difficulties) and is used in treating asthma and allergic rhinitis. 

Your doctor will advise the dose and duration of the course based on the severity of your disease. The common side effects of Levokast Ab Tablet include headache, sore throat/cough, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhoea, heartburn, runny nose, rash, itching, drowsiness, restlessness, abdominal pain (stomach pain), and nasal inflammation. Most of these side effects of Levokast Ab Tablet do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, please reach out to your doctor.

Levokast Ab Tablet is not intended for use during an acute asthma attack. Your doctor may suggest other medications for your sudden asthma attack. Please inform your doctor in advance if you have heart, liver, kidney and lung diseases, seizures (fits) and depression, phenylketonuria (birth defect caused by the build-up of an amino acid called phenylalanine in the body), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), high blood pressure, stomach ulcers and viral infections before taking Levokast Ab Tablet. It is advisable to check with your doctor if you are pregnant, currently breastfeeding, or taking any other prescribed or non-prescribed medicines before starting Levokast Ab Tablet.

Levokast Ab Tablet contains Acebrophylline and Montelukast. Acebrophylline is a bronchodilator that works by relaxing muscles and widening the airways of the lungs. Acebrophylline also has muc0-regulating/mucolytic (dissolves thick mucus and helps relieve breathing difficulties) and anti-inflammatory properties. Montelukast blocks leukotrienes (chemicals released in response when a body comes in contact with an allergen) and reduces inflammation and swelling in the nose. It also inhibits bronchoconstriction (narrowing of airways in the lungs that lead to breathing difficulties). Montelukast is also used to relieve exercise-induced bronchospasm (shortness of breath that occurs only during exercise).

• Headache
• Sore throat/Cough
• Vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Diarrhoea
• Heartburn
• Runny nose
• Rash, itching
• Drowsiness
• Restlessness
• Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
• Nasal inflammation

Do not stop taking this medicine of your own unless advised by your doctor. Before taking Levokast Ab Tablet, let your doctor know if have heart, liver, kidney and lung diseases, neuropsychiatric disorders like seizures (fits) and depression, phenylketonuria (birth defect caused by the build-up of an amino acid called phenylalanine in the body), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), high blood pressure, stomach ulcers and viral infections. Levokast Ab Tablet is not intended for use during an acute asthma attack. Therapy with medicines like Montelukast should be cautiously administered in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. Please seek medical advice if you are pregnant, currently breastfeeding, or taking any other prescribed or non-prescribed medicines before starting Levokast Ab Tablet.

Drug-Drug Interaction: Levokast Ab Tablet may interact with medicines used to treat gout (allopurinol), antacid (cimetidine), antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, amoxicillin, doxycycline, rifampicin), anti-fungal drugs (thiabendazole), heart-related medicines (isoprenaline), medicines used to lower high blood pressure (diltiazem, verapamil), fluid retention medicines (furosemide), drugs treating fits (phenytoin, phenobarbital), corticosteroids and oral contraceptives.

Drug-Food Interaction: Limit alcohol intake since it may increase the occurrence of side effects like drowsiness.

Drug-Disease Interaction: Before taking Levokast Ab Tablet, inform your doctor if you have heart, liver, kidney, and lung diseases, seizures (fits) and depression, phenylketonuria, overactive thyroid, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers and viral infections.

• ALLOPURINOL
• CIMETIDINE
• CIPROFLOXACIN
• ERYTHROMYCIN
• AMOXICILLIN
• DOXYCYCLINE
• RIFAMPICIN
• THIABENDAZOLE
• ISOPRENALINE
• DILTIAZEM
• VERAPAMIL
• FUROSEMIDE
• PHENYTOIN
• PHENOBARBITAL

• Add ginger to foods or tea as it contains some anti-inflammatory compounds that can relax membranes in the airways and reduce cough, irritation, and swelling in nasal passages.
• Eat foods rich in potassium, such as tomatoes, bananas, asparagus, oranges, potatoes, avocados, dark leafy greens, and beetroot, as potassium is important for lung function and potassium deficiency may cause breathing problems.
• Staying hydrated is vital for those with a cough or cold. Drink liquids at room temperature to get relief from runny nose, cough, and sneezing.
• Do meditation, deep breathing, regular exercise, and try progressive muscle relaxation techniques to get relief from stress.
• Quit smoking as it may reduce the effectiveness of the Levokast Ab Tablet and irritate the lungs worsening breathing problems.
• It is advised to avoid contact with known allergens (allergy-causing agents), such as pollen, dust, etc. Also, certain food items are known to cause allergies to you.
• Maintain personal hygiene and keep your surroundings clean. 

Asthma: It is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of asthma include wheezing (whistling sound while breathing), shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough, especially at night. The symptoms of mild persistent asthma may occur more than 2 times in a week and up to 4 nights in a month whereas, in the case of severe persistent asthma, the symptoms occur several times every day and most nights. The treatment for asthma includes medication, breathing exercises, and self-care. 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): It is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes). The major cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. Also, long-term exposure to fumes and chemicals may lead to COPD. The symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath or wheezing (whistle sound while breathing).

Allergic rhinitis: An inflammation of the nose caused by an allergen, such as pollen, dust, mould, or flakes of skin from certain animals. Its symptoms include itchy, watery eyes, itchy nose, sneezing and runny nose.