Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Cromolyn Eye Drops
What is CROMOLYN EYE DROPS used for?
- Prevention and relief of the eye symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.
How does CROMOLYN EYE DROPS work?
During an allergic reaction, various substances are released by certain cells in your eyes. These are called mast cells. The substances released by these cells affect your eyes in different ways. For example, they affect blood vessels, nerves and glands, causing redness, itching and watery eyes. CROMOLYN EYE DROPS acts on the mast cells to prevent them from releasing the substances that cause these problems.
What are the ingredients in CROMOLYN EYE DROPS?
Medicinal ingredients: Cromolyn Sodium
Non-medicinal ingredients: Benzalkonium Chloride (as a preservative), Disodium Edetate, Purified Water
CROMOLYN EYE DROPS comes in the following dosage forms
Sterile ophthalmic solution supplied in bottles with a plastic dropper
Do not use CROMOLYN EYE DROPS if:
- you are allergic to cromolyn sodium or to any of the other ingredients in CROMOLYN EYE DROPS
- you develop a serious allergic reaction (hypersensitivity) to CROMOLYN EYE DROPS
- you have an eye injury or infection. An eye infection is caused by a virus or bacteria which can multiply and produce inflammation, pain, milky discharge, altered vision and pain on exposure to light.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take CROMOLYN EYE DROPS. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
- use soft contact lenses
Other warnings you should know about:
- CROMOLYN EYE DROPS should only be used for allergic conditions of the eye such as seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. This type of allergy is most often caused on a seasonal basis by exposure to airborne substances such as pollen, grasses, weeds, dust and/or animal dander.
- Irritation or redness may be due to a serious eye condition such as infection, foreign body in the eye, or other mechanical or chemical corneal injury requiring the attention of a doctor.
- Do not wear soft contact lenses during treatment with CROMOLYN EYE DROPS.
- Do not use CROMOLYN EYE DROPS with any other eye treatment except on the advice of your healthcare professional.
- If you are not sure about the seriousness of your condition, or if you are experiencing your eye symptoms for the first time, you should contact your doctor.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
How to take CROMOLYN EYE DROPS:
Usual dose:
Adults and children 5 years of age and older.
- Use the dropper to apply 1 or 2 drops into each eye 4 times per day at regular intervals.
- Maximum single dose per eye: 2 drops (1.6 mg).
- Maximum total daily dose per eye: 8 drops (6.4 mg).
- It is important to use CROMOLYN EYE DROPS at regular intervals. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
- To avoid contamination of this product, do not touch dropper tip to eyes or to any other surface. Replace cap after use.
- Wash your hands before and after using CROMOLYN EYE DROPS.
- Seek the advice of a healthcare professional if you are not sure how to apply the drops in your eyes, or how to administer them in a child's eyes.
- CROMOLYN EYE DROPS should be used continually throughout your usual allergy season, even when you feel you are free of symptoms. Continued use could help ensure that you remain symptom-free.
- Discard the opened bottle after 4 weeks.
Overdose:
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much CROMOLYN EYE DROPS, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
Missed Dose:
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What are possible side effects from using CROMOLYN EYE DROPS?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking CROMOLYN EYE DROPS. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| COMMON | |||
| stinging or burning in the eye immediately after applying the drops | ✓ | ||
| UNCOMMON | |||
| watery, itchy eyes | ✓ | ||
| dryness around the eyes | ✓ | ||
| puffy eyes | ✓ | ||
| bacterial infection of an oil gland in the eyelid (“stye”) | ✓ | ||
| conjunctival infection (inflammation of the membrane covering the surface of the eyeball) | ✓ | ||
| RARE | |||
| eye pain | ✓ | ||
| changes in vision | ✓ | ||
| pain on exposure to light | ✓ | ||
| redness or irritation of the eye | ✓ | ||
| excessive or milky (non-clear) discharge | ✓ | ||
| abnormal pupils | ✓ | ||
| condition worsens | ✓ | ||
| symptoms do not improve after 3 days | ✓ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Store at room temperature (15°C to 30°C). Protect from light.
Discard the opened bottle after 4 weeks.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about CROMOLYN EYE DROPS:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html; the manufacturer’s website www.pendopharm.com, or by calling 1-888-550-6060.
PENDOPHARM, Division of Pharmascience Inc. Montréal, Québec, Canada H4P 2T4.