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From: dr@ski.UUCP (David Robins)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: Cromolyn Eyedrops
Message-ID: <195@ski.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 15-Aug-85 13:17:07 EDT
Article-I.D.: ski.195
Posted: Thu Aug 15 13:17:07 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 19-Aug-85 21:28:28 EDT
References: <344@rti-sel.UUCP> <342@bbncc5.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Smith-Kettlewell Institute, S.F., CA.
Lines: 39

> > Cromolyn sodium has been used for a longer period of time, I believe,
> > in nosedrops. Does anyone out there have any experience with these
> > nosedrops, or know of any bad reactions/side effects to them? Better
> > still, is anyone familiar with the literature on cromolyn sodium and
> > its safety? Just what the heck IS cromolyn sodium, anyway? A friend
> > taking cortisone thought it was related somehow to cortisone.
> 

As an ophthalmologist, I have been using cromolyn eyedrops for a
couple of years.  Until recently, we had to have the pharmacy mix them
specially for us, using oral cromolyn capsules in artificial tears,
and sterilizing by passing through a milllipore filter.  The shelf
life, with refrigeration, was 10 days without preservative, 30 days
with preservative.  It was very expensive, and was used to treat very
stubborn allergic conjunctivitis, and vernal conjunctivitis, a
spring-time alllergy which is persistent.

The steroids are great for relieving inflammation, quicly, but they
can cause cataracts and glaucoma with long-term use.  A few days use
once in a while is ok, but vernal sufferers need continuous treatment
for months.  Other allergy drops (ie Visine A/C, Vasocon-A, etc) were
of limited value.

Chromolyn eyedrops, available since late '84 as a commercial
preparation as Opticrom (tm), are a boon to allergy sufferers.  There
are no know side effects, unlike the steroids, and they relieve the
symptoms almost completely.  Since the onset of action takes 4-5 days, we
often use a mild steroid drop in conjunction with the cromolyn during
that time, and then discontune the steroids.  Cromolyn eyedrops are taken
4-6 times daily for as long as the allergy causes problems.
-- 
====================================================================
David Robins, M.D. 
Smith-Kettlewell Institute of Visual Sciences
2232 Webster St; San Francisco CA 94115
415/561-1705
			{ihnp4,qantel,dual}!ptsfa!ski!dr

The opinions expressed herein do not reflect the opinion of the Institute!