What are Sodium Cromoglicate 2% w/v Eye Drops?
Sodium Cromoglicate 2% w/v Eye Drops Solution is an anti-inflammatory medicine that contains the active ingredient sodium cromoglicate. It’s designed to stop the process of an allergic reaction in your eye caused by seasonal allergies (hay fever) or year-long allergies (pet hair or dust mites).
What are Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Eye Drops used for?
Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops are used for treating short or long term allergic conjunctivitis triggered by hay fever or other allergies. Sodium Cromoglicate can provide relief from symptoms of itchy, watery, red or inflamed eyes and swollen eyelids. These symptoms are often caused by an external irritant in your eye such as pollen, dust mites or pet hair.
How does Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Eye Drops work?
Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops belong to a group of medications known as mast cell stabilisers, which work by stopping the release of histamine from mast cells. These are different to antihistamine medications which target the histamine after it has already been released.
How do you use Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Eye Drops?
To administer Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops, adhere to the following instructions:
- Wash your hands.
- Remove the cap of the eye drop bottle (If you are using a single-dose unit, remove the tip).
- Tilt the patient’s head back, and gently pull the lower lid of the affected eye to form a pocket.
- Hold the bottle upside down above the patient’s eye, but do not touch the eye with the bottle.
- Press the bottle gently to release one or two drops into the eye.
- The patient should close their eye and apply light pressure to the area between the corner of their eye and their nose, to stop the drop from leaking out of the eye.
- Repeat the process for the other eye if it’s also affected.
- Put the cap back on the bottle.
What dose of Sodium Cromoglicate 2% w/v Eye Drops do I need?
You should take one or two drops of Sodium Cromoglicate in the affected eye(s) four times a day. If you miss a dose, take your drops as soon as you remember, but do not take a double dose to compensate for the missed dosage.
Who should not take Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Eye Drops?
If you wear soft contact lenses; have dry eye disease or use eye drops for dry eyes; are pregnant or breastfeeding; or have ever had an allergic reaction to eye drops, you should consult a doctor before using Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops.
How do you store Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Eye Drops?
Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops do not require any special storage conditions, just a cool, dry environment below 25℃. Once the bottle is opened, do not keep it for more than four weeks past the opening date. Keep the Sodium Cromoglicate bottle out of sight and reach of children. Do not use the eye drops past the expiration date listed on both the bottle and box of eye drops.
Should I use Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops with contact lenses?
Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Eye Drops contain benzalkonium chloride which can cause discolouration in soft contact lenses. If you do not use soft contact lenses, you should be able to use Sodium Cromoglicate 2% w/v Eye Drops, but you should remove your contact lenses before taking the eye drops and put them back in 15 minutes after taking your dose.
How long does it take Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Eye Drops to work?
It can take 2-3 days after first use of the Sodium Cromoglicate to feel a relief of symptoms, but if you still feel no relief after this time has passed it is recommended to consult a doctor.
Can I take Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Eye Drops whilst pregnant or breastfeeding?
Speak with your doctor before taking Sodium Cromoglicate 2% if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.