How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient sodium cromoglicate (sometimes spelt cromoglycate), which is a type of medicine used to relieve the symptoms of allergies. Sodium cromoglicate eye drops are used to relieve the symptoms of eye allergies such as hayfever. Sodium cromoglicate works by reducing allergic responses. It is not fully understood how it does this, but it is thought to work by 'stabilising' immune cells called mast cells. Mast cells are an important part of the immune system. They become sensitised when they are exposed to foreign particles or allergens, for example pollen or dust mites. When this happens, the mast cells release substances that include histamine, and these subsequently go on to cause inflammation as part of the body's immune response to fight the foreign substance. Inflammation of the eye causes the typical symptoms of an eye allergy - redness, itching and a watery discharge. By stabilising the mast cells, sodium cromoglicate is thought to prevent the substances that cause the inflammation, eg histamine, from being released when the cells encounter an allergen. This prevents the allergic response and relieves the symptoms of the allergy. Sodium cromoglicate eye drops are used to reduce the symptoms of eye allergies (allergic conjunctivitis) such as hayfever. They provide relief from red, itchy, watery and puffy eyes, and work best when they are used regularly to prevent the allergy, even when you don't have symptoms.

What is it used for?

Allergic conjunctivitis

Warning!

You should not wear soft contact lenses while you are using this medicine. This it because the medicine contains a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause eye irritation.

This medicine may cause your vision to blur temporarily after you have applied it into your eye. Do not drive or operate machinery until this has worn off.

This medicine is not to be taken by mouth.

This medicine should discarded four weeks after opening. You may find it helpful to write the date of opening on the pack. Dispose of carefully.

When using the eye drops you should take care to not touch the dropper tip to any surface, or to your eye, in order to avoid contaminating the eye drops.

Not to be used in

Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

If this medicine is used during pregnancy it is unlikely to be harmful to the developing baby, however it should be used with caution during pregnancy. As with all medicines, pregnant women should seek medical advice from their doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.

It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk, however no problems are anticipated if the medicine is used by breastfeeding mothers. As with all medicines, you should seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine during breastfeeding.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Burning and stinging on instillation

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

If you are using more than one type of eye drop you should administer them at least five minutes apart, to prevent the second drop washing away the first. Use eye gels or ointments last.

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