Dosing & Uses
Dosage Forms & Strengths
oral concentrate
- 100mg/5mL
Mastocytosis
200 mg PO four times daily; 30 minutes prior to meals; may increase to 40 mg/kg/day if control of symptoms not seen within 2-3 weeks
Food Allergy & Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Off-label)
200 mg PO four times daily; may double dose if effect not satisfactory within 2-3 weeks; not to exceed 400 mg PO four times daily
Administration
Dilute contents of ampule with glass of water; stir well
For systemic mastocytosis administer 30 minutes before meals and bedtime
For food allergy and inflammatory bowel disease administer 15-20 minutes before meals
Dosage Forms & Strengths
oral concentrate
- 100mg/5mL
Mastocytosis
<2 years: Safety and efficacy not established
2-12 years: 100 mg PO four times daily; not to exceed 40 mg/kg/day; give 30 minutes AC and HS
>12 years: As in adults; 200 mg PO four times daily; 30 minutes prior to meals; may increase to <40 mg/kg/day if control of symptoms not seen within 2-3 weeks
Food Allergy & Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Off-label)
<2 years old: Not recommended
2-12 years: 100 mg four times daily initially; may double dose if effect not satisfactory within 2-3 weeks; not to exceed 40 mg/kg/day
>12 years: 200 mg PO four times daily; may double dose if effect not satisfactory within 2-3 weeks; not to exceed 400 mg PO four times daily
Administration
Dilute the contents of ampule with glass of water
For systemic mastocytosis administer 30 minutes before meals and bedtime
For food allergy and inflammatory bowel disease administer 15-20 minutes before meals
Adverse Effects
Frequency Not Defined
Diarrhea
Headache
Angioedema
Premature ventricular contractions
Hypoesthesia
Lightheadedness
Flushing
Palpitation
Erythema
Postprandial
Photosensitivity
Behavior changes
Psychosis
Esophagospasm
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Pancytopenia
Polycythemia
Stomatitis
Neutropenia
Rash
Pruritus
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Cautions
Severe anaphylactic reactions may occur (rare)
Excreted through biliary and renal routes; monitor closely patients with hepatic/renal insufficiency; decrease dose in patients with impaired renal or hepatic function
Use caution in patients with history of cardiac arrhythmia and hepatic or renal impairment
Oral concentrated solution should not be used for inhalation or injection
Not beneficial in the acute setting
Symptoms may reoccur when tapering or withdrawing the drug; use caution
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category: B
Lactation: Unknown if excreted in breast milk, use caution
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Mast cell stabilizer; inhibits release of histamine, leukotrienes, and slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis from mast cell by inhibiting degranulation following exposure to reactive antigens
Pharmacokinetics
Bioavailability: 0.5-2%
Peak plasma time: 15 min
Peak plasma concentration: 9 ng/mL
Half-life: 80-90 min
Onset: 2-6 weeks (PO)
Duration: 6 hr
Excretion: Feces (98%, unabsorbed drugs); urine (<0.5%)
Images
Patient Handout
cromolyn ophthalmic (eye)
CROMOLYN - OPHTHALMIC
(CROW-mow-lin)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Opticrom
USES: This medication is used to treat certain allergic eye conditions (vernal keratoconjunctivitis, vernal conjunctivitis, vernal keratitis). It prevents itching of the eyes that can occur with these conditions. Cromolyn is known as a mast cell stabilizer. It works by blocking certain natural substances (histamine, SRS-A) that cause allergic symptoms.
HOW TO USE: Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using cromolyn and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.It is best to avoid wearing contact lenses while using this medication.This medication is used in the affected eye(s), usually 4 times daily or as directed by your doctor. Treatment may be continued for as long as 3 months.Tilt your head back, look upward, and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over the eye and place 1 drop into the pouch. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of the eye near the nose and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining away from the eye. Try not to blink and do not rub the eye. Repeat these steps if your dose is for more than 1 drop and for the other eye if so directed.Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap tightly after each use.If you are using another kind of eye medication (such as drops or ointments), wait at least 5 minutes before applying other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye.Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. Continue using it for the full time prescribed.It may take up to several days of continued use to see a relief in symptoms and up to 6 weeks for full benefit. If immediate relief of symptoms (itching) is needed, use other quick-relief medication (such as eye drops containing antihistamines, decongestants, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs) along with cromolyn as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.
SIDE EFFECTS: Burning or stinging of the eye may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using cromolyn, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as preservatives like benzalkonium chloride), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: contact lens use.After you apply this drug, your vision may become temporarily blurred. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires clear vision until you can do it safely.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
OVERDOSE: This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
NOTES: Avoid allergens that may be the cause of your allergies. Some common allergens that cause allergic eye conditions include pollen, grasses, weeds, dust mites, and pet dander.Do not share this medication with others.This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless directed to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in that case.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store dropper bottle upright at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Discard any remaining solution after 4 weeks if directed to do so by the product manufacturer.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Information last revised December 2022. Copyright(c) 2022 First Databank, Inc.
IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
Formulary
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