Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site ski.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!hplabs!well!ptsfa!ski!dr 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!