Cromolyn Sodium
The following information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as a medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Cromolyn Sodium
(KROE moe lin SOW dee um)

U.S. Brand Names
Crolom®; Gastrocrom®; Intal®; NasalCrom® [OTC]

Canadian Brand Names
Apo-Cromolyn®; Intal®; Nalcrom®; Nu-Cromolyn; Opticrom®; Rhinaris-CS Anti-Allergic Nasal Mist

Mexican Brand Names
Intal; Opticrom; Rynacrom

Pharmacologic Category
Mast Cell Stabilizer

Reasons not to take this medicine
• If you have an allergy to cromolyn sodium or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

What is this medicine used for?
• This medicine is used to relieve allergy symptoms.

• This medicine is used to prevent asthma.

• This medicine is used to treat eye inflammation.

• This medicine is used to prevent nasal congestion.

• This medicine is used to treat food allergies.

• This medicine is used to treat inflammatory bowel disease.

• This medicine is used to treat mastocytosis.

How does it work?
• Cromolyn blocks the allergic reaction by minimizing or preventing the body's reaction to the allergen.

How is it best taken?
All forms:

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.

• Continue to take this medicine to prevent the allergy. Once the symptoms start, this medicine will not help.

Oral:

• Take this medicine 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime.

• Do not swallow capsule. Open it and empty powder into a / glass of hot water. Add a / glass of cold water. Mix and drink.

Oral inhalation:

• For inhaling (puffing) only.

• Shake inhaler well before use.

• Check inhaler use with healthcare provider at each visit. Read and follow all instructions provided with inhaler. Using the inhaler the right way is very important.

• If exercise causes symptoms, use immediately before activity.

• There is also a solution for use in a nebulizer. Healthcare provider will teach you how to use this.

Nasal:

• For the nose only.

• Shake well before use.

• Blow your nose before use.

Eye:

• For the eye only.

• Take out contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given. Do not put contacts back in if eyes are irritated or infected.

• Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.

• Tilt head back and drop medicine into eye.

• After using medicine, keep your eyes closed. Apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps the medicine in your eye.

• Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
• Use a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not use a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
• This medicine is not helpful in urgent situations.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
Oral:

• Belly pain.

• Diarrhea.

• Abnormal taste. This is usually reversible.

Oral inhalation:

• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Sore throat.

Nasal:

• Nasal irritation.

Eye:

• Eye irritation.

What should I monitor?
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Persistent cough.

• Severe eye irritation.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?
• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from light.

General statements
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 11:41:47.0

Modified: 2009-07-15 14:36:10.0

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