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Crolom

Brand Names

; Crolom® ; Gastrocrom® ; Intal® ; Nasalcrom®[OTC]

Foreign Brand Names

; Novo-Cromolyn (Canada) ; Opticrom® (Canada) ; PMS-Sodium Cromoglycate (Canada) ; Rynacrom® (Canada)

Therapeutic Categories

Antihistamine, Inhalation; Mast Cell Stabilizer

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to cromolyn or any other part of the medicine.
• If you have an asthma attack.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used as an additional medicine for the prevention of allergies. Cromolyn is not helpful in urgent situations.
• Oral inhaled and nebulized type is used for long-term asthma control.
• Nasal form is to manage the runny nose caused by allergies.
• Eye solution is to treat a chronic eye redness and itching.
• Oral form is for mastocytosis, food allergy, and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

How does it work?

• Cromolyn prevents the start of an allergic reaction. It prevents the release of chemicals that cause the symptoms of an allergy.

How is it best taken?

• 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 30 minutes hour before meals and at bedtime.
  • Do not swallow capsule. Open it and empty powder into a 1/2 glass of hot water. Add a 1/2 glass of cold water. Mix and drink.
• Oral inhalation:
  • For inhaling (puffing) only. Shake well before use. Check inhaler use with healthcare provider at each visit. It is important to use it the right way.
  • There is also a solution for use in a nebulizer. Healthcare provider will teach you how to use this.
• Nasal inhalation:
  • Use as a nasal spray only. Do not get it into the eyes. Shake well first.
  • Blow your nose before using.
• Eye:
  • For the eye only.
  • Take out soft contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given.
  • Do not touch the bottle or tube 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 medicine in the eye.
  • Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes. Give one and wait 5 minutes before using the next.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking 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, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Oral:
  • Bad taste afterwards.
  • Belly pain and cramps.
  • Diarrhea.
• Oral inhalation:
  • Dry mouth and throat, sore throat.
  • Wheezing.
• Nasal spray:
  • Sneezing, nasal stinging, burning, bleeding, or irritation.
• Eye:
  • Stinging and burning shortly after using.

What should I monitor?

• Relief of symptoms. Are they better, worse, or about the same?

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

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

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.

General statements

• 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, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).