Description
Posology and method of administration
Adults and Children : One or two drops into each eye up to four times a day or as indicated by the doctor.
Elderly: There is no current evidence for alteration of the dose.
Route of administration: Topical ophthalmic.
Special warnings and precautions for use
This formulation of Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops contains 0.1mg/ml (4.5 micrograms per dose) benzalkonium chloride as a preservative which may be deposited in soft contact lenses. Hence, Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops should not be used while wearing these lenses. The lenses should be removed before instillation of the drops and not reinserted earlier than 15 minutes after use.
Benzalkonium chloride has been reported to cause eye irritation, symptoms of dry eyes and may affect the tear film and corneal surface. Should be used with caution in dry eye patients and in patients where the cornea may be compromised. Patients should be monitored in case of prolonged use.
Patients should also be instructed that ocular solutions, if handled improperly can become contaminated by common bacteria known to cause ocular infections. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions. Patients should also be advised that if they develop any intercurrent ocular condition (e.g. trauma, ocular surgery or infection), they should immediately seek their physician?s advice concerning the continued use of present multi-dose container. There have been reports of bacterial keratitis associated with the use of topical ophthalmic products.
Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Fertility:
It is not known whether sodium cromoglicate has any effect on fertility.
Pregnancy:
As with all medication, caution should be exercised especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. Cumulative experience with sodium cromoglicate suggests that it has no adverse effects on foetal development. It should be used in pregnancy only where there is a clear need.
Lactation ;
It is not known whether Sodium Cromoglicate is excreted in human breast milk, but based on its physicochemical properties this is considered unlikely Therefore caution should be exercised when the eye drops are administered to nursing mothers.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Transient stinging or blurring of vision may occur on instillation of the drops. Do not drive or use machinery until normal vision is restored.
Undesirable effects
Transient stinging and burning on instillation of the drops. Rarely, other symptoms of local irritation.
Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Opthalmologicals; Other antiallergics, ATC code : SO1GX01
In vitro and in vivo animal studies have shown that Sodium cromoglicate inhibits the degranulation of sensitised mast cells which occurs after exposure to specific antigens. Sodium cromoglicate acts by inhibiting the release of histamine and various membrane derived mediators from the mast cell.
Sodium cromoglicate has demonstrated the activity in vitro to inhibit the degranulation of non-sensitised rat mast cells by phospholipase A and subsequent release of chemical mediators. Sodium cromoglicate did not inhibit the enzymatic activity of released phospholipase A on its specific substrate.
Sodium cromoglicate has no intrinsic vasoconstrictor or antihistamine activity.
Pharmacokinetic properties
Sodium cromoglicate is poorly absorbed. When multiple doses of Sodium cromoglicate ophthalmic solution are instilled into normal rabbit eyes, less than 0.07% of the administered dose of Sodium cromoglicate is absorbed into the systemic circulation (presumably by way of the eye, nasal passages, buccal cavity and gastrointestinal tract). Trace amounts (less than 0.01%) of the sodium cromoglicate does penetrate into the aqueous humour and clearance from this chamber is virtually complete within 24 hours after treatment is stopped.
In normal volunteers, analysis of drug excretion indicates that approximately 0.03% of Sodium cromoglicate is absorbed following administration to the eye.
