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From: evans@wanginst.UUCP (Barry Evans)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: Cromolyn Eyedrops (cromolyn sodium as Asthma treatment)
Message-ID: <935@wanginst.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 13-Aug-85 18:48:12 EDT
Article-I.D.: wanginst.935
Posted: Tue Aug 13 18:48:12 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 14-Aug-85 23:48:22 EDT
References: <344@rti-sel.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Wang Institute, Tyngsboro, Ma.  01879
Lines: 57

> I have bad pollen allergies from May through September, and my
> ophthalmologist recently put me on eyedrops containing cromolyn sodium
> (brand name: Opticrom). ...
> ... 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.
> 
>                          -- Cheers, Bill Ingogly

Cromolyn Sodium in eyedrops?  Interesting.  I take that (prescription drug)
in powder form called "Intal" for my asthma.  It's been about nine years now,
and haven't had any adverse side effects - but then I don't put it in my
eyes.  I accidently wiped my eyes once with some of the powder on my
fingers... quite the burning sensation, I must say.  Maybe it's just the
concentration of the chemical?  I'm not a chemist or pharmacists, so I 
haven't the slightest idea what it is.   I suspect that the eyedrop form
of this drug has been around in Europe for some time now, as when I started
taking it for my asthma it had just been introduced in the U.S. after
testing in other countries.

But, as far as my asthma goes, the stuff works great...

Before I started using cromolyn sodium I was averaging severe attacks
once every day or two.  I was about 13 years old at the time.
I started with four inhalations daily, and within a month virtually
all attacks had vanished and I was able to engage in much more
physical activities/workouts.  The attacks I did have while taking
the drug were generally mild.  Physical workouts (e.g. intense activity)
would sometimes result in temporary mild attacks which would usually
clear up without addition medication after the exertion was stopped.

Several years later I entered college.  The "new" environment allowed
me to reduce dosage to twice daily (noticeably, i wasn't around cats and dogs).
I later tried eliminating the drug all together.  That experiment worked
for a little while before unprovoked attacks began to occur.  Eventually
I started having attacks again on a regular basis, and my doctor was
encouraging me to take medicines regularly.  I dislike the idea of taking
some asthma medicines because of the side effects (nausea, insomnia, the
jitters, etc.)  I finally asked him if I could start on the cromolyn again and
he replied he doesn't normally prescribe that drug because people don't
like the way the drug is administered; it is inhaled as a powder through
the mouth.  Myself, I don't care - it works.

Currently, I'm taking the cromolyn sodium once daily, which seems to be
enough for me at this time in my life.  Once again I can sleep through
the night without waking at 5am while gasping for air to reach for
the Albuterol mist.

I would be interested to talk with others who have experience with 
cromolyn sodium for asthma treatment, or to those who wish more
information on it.

-barry
-- 
Barry Evans - Wang Institute (617) 649-9731 x383
    [apollo, ucadmus, decvax, vaxine, masscomp]!wanginst!evans
    evans%WangInst@Csnet-Relay