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From: sdyer@bbncc5.UUCP (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: Cromolyn Eyedrops
Message-ID: <342@bbncc5.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 12-Aug-85 23:06:42 EDT
Article-I.D.: bbncc5.342
Posted: Mon Aug 12 23:06:42 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 14-Aug-85 21:12:47 EDT
References: <344@rti-sel.UUCP>
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Organization: Bolt Beranek and Newman, Cambridge, MA
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> 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.

Actually, cromolyn sodium has been used in an inhaler for the prophylaxis
of asthmatic attacks for more than 15 years, with almost 10 years of
U.S. experience.

Pharmacologically it is a rather interesting substance, a unique approach
in the treatment of allergic syndromes: it prevents the release of
histamine and other autacoids from certain mast cells when challenged by
antigens.  So, it is unlike adrenalin and other sympathetic amines which
have pharmacological effects opposite to those of histamine, and it is
unlike antihistamines which block H1 histamine receptors on target cells.
Finally, it is unlike corticosteroids which block the inflammatory
responses induced by the release of such autacoids.  As you might expect
from its mechanism of action, cromolyn is useful only in PREVENTING
allergic reactions--it has no effect on the body's response once the
autacoids have been released from the mast cells.  So, you take the drug
precisely when you're NOT suffering from an acute attack of hay fever,
asthma, or other allergies.

Cromolyn seems to be well tolerated, with rare reports of irritation
and even rarer incidences of individual hypersensitivity to the drug.
Long term studies haven't found any remarkable side effects.  
-- 
/Steve Dyer
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