Crolom

Brand name:

Crolom.

Cromolyn, a mast cell stabilizer, is indicated for the treatment of certain eye conditions resulting from allergic reactions. These include vernal conjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, and vernal keratitis.

This medication exerts its effects on the mast cell and prevents them from excreting allergy mediating substances. You can buy cromolyn only with a physician’s prescription.

It is usually sold in solution form.

Discuss the risks and benefits related to using cromolyn ophthalmic drops with your physician. You also need to inform him/her if you’ve had allergic reactions to similar medications.

Tell your healthcare team if you have allergies to food, preservatives, animals, and other drugs.

Studies on older children have found that Cromolyn’s effects on them are similar to those in adults. However, not enough research has been done in other age groups.

For geriatric patients, this medication is expected to have similar effects as well although there are only a few studies regarding this.

Cromolyn should be used with precaution in pregnant women since its effects have not been studied enough. The same goes for nursing mothers.

Cromolyn might also interact with other medications you are taking. Discuss this with your physician.

Cromolyn can also affect pre-existing medical conditions. Alcohol consumption is not advisable since this medicine can interact with it and cause untoward reactions.

Be informed and talk to your doctor before initiating treatment.

Follow your physician’s instructions regarding dosage and timing. The amount you need to administer and the frequency are different for each individual. It depends on the severity of your condition. The length of treatment can also differ.

Generally, adults and children 4 years of age and older should administer 1 drop each eye 4 to 6 times a day.

As for children below 4 years old, dosage and timing are to be determined by the physician.

If you miss a drop, administer it as soon as possible. However, if the next timing is near, skip it and resume the normal schedule. Ask your physician to demonstrate the proper administration of cromolyn eye drops.

The basic steps are as follows:

• Always wash your hands before administering the drops.
• Tilt your head back, open the eye wide, and press the skin under your lower eyelid so that a small space is made.
• Squeeze the bottle gently and let the medicine drop into that space and not directly on the eyeball.
• Let the eyelid go and close your eyes gently.
• Keep it closed for a couple of minutes to it gets absorbed.
• If you didn’t administer enough medicine, repeat this process.
• Do the same for the other eye if necessary.

It is important that you keep the solution free from germs. To do this, you do not let the applicator tip touch any dirty surface like your skin or eye. Always close the container after using. Again, follow your physician’s instructions and use it for the whole duration of the treatment.

Keep your medications away from the reach of children.

Do not expose it to temperature extremes.

There are precautionary measures you need to take when using cromolyn eye drops. Do not wear contact lenses if you have vernal keratoconjunctivitis, vernal keratitis, or vernal conjunctivitis. These could irritate the eye more. Also, using contact lenses while on Cromolyn treatment is contraindicated. It might be best to get a new pair once your condition has been cured.

If your signs and symptoms get worse or are not improved, inform your physician as soon as possible.

You may experience side effects associated with using cromolyn eye drops.

The most common effects include:

• stinging or burning sensation of the eye upon administration of the medicine. This lasts for a few minutes only and goes away without treatment.

Rare effects include:

• immediate allergic reactions characterized by dyspnea, rash, and edema.
• Conjunctival injection can also occur along with it dry, itchy, and puffy eyes.

If you experience these two or others that are not listed here, get medical attention as soon as possible. Your healthcare team can also teach you how to prevent unwanted side effects from occurring.