What is the dosage and how should it be used?
Cromolyn is available as a nasal spray (Nasalcrom®) to treat allergic rhinitis, as an inhaler (Intal®) to treat asthma, as eye drops (Opticrom® and Crolom®) for allergic conjunctivitis, or in an oral form (Gastrocrom®) to treat mastocytosis. Doses vary from patient to patient.
Aerosol inhalation:
The canister should be shaken well before administering.
After breathing out completely, the mouthpiece is inserted between the open lips, and the lips are closed firmly around the mouthpiece.
The valve of the canister is then pressed down one time while inhaling deeply and slowly.
The canister then is removed from the lips, and the breath is held for a count of 10 before exhaling slowly.
If more than one inhalation is being used, a minute should elapse between inhalations. An extension tube (spacer) may be useful for persons who are unable to coordinate inhaling and pressing down on the canister's valve.
Following administration, the mouth should be rinsed thoroughly with water or a mouthwash. This will minimize dry mouth or throat, throat irritation, and hoarseness.
The inhaler must also be cleaned frequently. To clean, the canister and cap are removed from the inhaler. The inhaler is then rinsed with warm water and dried thoroughly.
If a bronchodilator aerosol spray such as albuterol (Proventil® or Ventolin®) is used in addition to cromolyn, the bronchodilator should be used first, and 5 minutes should elapse before the cromolyn is used.
Intranasal spray:
Adults and children 6 years of age and older can use one spray in each nostril three or four times daily.
If necessary, physicians may increase the dose to 6 times daily.
Ophthalmic (eye) solution:
Both hands should be washed before each use of cromolyn.
The head is tilted back and the lower eyelid is pulled down with the index finger to form a pouch.
The bottle is then squeezed slightly to allow the prescribed number of drops into the pouch, and the eye is closed gently for one or two minutes without blinking.
The tip of the dropper should not touch the eye or eyelid.
The usual dose in adults and children 4 years of age and older is one or two drops in each eye 4 to 6 times per day.
Several weeks of therapy may be required before improvement is apparent.
Why is this medication prescribed?
What special precautions should I follow?
What should I do if I forget a dose?
What side effects can this medication cause?