Allercrom 2% w/v Eye Drops

For the relief and treatment of the eye symptoms of hayfever.

Allercrom Eye Drops should not be used continuously for more than 14 days except on the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Adults and Children over 6 years:

One or two drops to be administered into each eye four times daily.

Elderly:

There is no evidence to suggest that dosage alteration is required for elderly patients.

Patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients listed in section 6.1.

This formulation of Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops contains 0.1mg/ml (4.5 micrograms per dose) benzalkonium chloride as a preservative which may be deposited in soft contact lenses. Hence, soft contact lenses should not be worn during treatment with sodium cromoglicate eye drops. Other types of contact lenses should be removed before instillation of the drops and not reinserted earlier than 15 minutes after use.

Benzalkonium chloride has been reported to cause eye irritation, symptoms of dry eyes and may affect the tear film and corneal surface. Should be used with caution in dry eye patients and in patients where the cornea may be compromised. Patients should be monitored in case of prolonged use.

Patients should also be instructed that ocular solutions, if handled improperly can become contaminated by common bacteria known to cause ocular infections.

Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions. Patients should also be advised that if they develop any intercurrent ocular condition (e.g. trauma, ocular surgery or infection), they should immediately seek their physician's advice concerning the continued use of present multi-dose container. There have been reports of bacterial keratitis associated with the use of topical ophthalmic products.

The carton label and patient information leaflet will state:

• the patient should consult a doctor or pharmacist if symptoms do not start to improve within 48 hours,

None known.

Fertility:

It is not known whether sodium cromoglicate has any effect on fertility.

Pregnancy:

Cumulative experience with sodium cromoglicate suggests that it has no adverse effects on foetal development. However, as with all medicines, caution should be exercised during pregnancy, and it should be used in pregnancy only when there is a clear need.

Lactation;

It is not known whether sodium cromoglicate is excreted in breast milk but on the basis of its physico-chemical properties, this is considered unlikely. There is no information to suggest the use of sodium cromoglicate has any undesirable effects on the baby.

Instillation may cause transient stinging or blurring of vision. Do not drive or operate machinery until normal vision is restored.

Transient stinging and burning on instillation of the drops. Rarely, other symptoms of local irritation.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow card scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Overdosage is very unlikely. In the event of accidental ingestion, symptomatic treatment is recommended.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Ophthalmologicals; Other antiallergics, ATC code: SO1GX01

In vitro and in vivo animal studies have shown that Sodium cromoglicate inhibits the degranulation of sensitised mast cells which occurs after exposure to specific antigens. Sodium cromoglicate acts by inhibiting the release of histamine and various membrane derived mediators from the mast cell.

Sodium cromoglicate has demonstrated the activity in vitro to inhibit the degranulation of non-sensitised rat mast cells by phospholipase A and subsequent release of chemical mediators. Sodium cromoglicate did not inhibit the enzymatic activity of released phospholipase A on its specific substrate.

Sodium cromoglicate has no intrinsic vasoconstrictor or antihistamine activity.

Sodium cromoglicate is poorly absorbed. When multiple doses of Sodium cromoglicate ophthalmic solution are instilled into normal rabbit eyes, less than 0.07% of the administered dose of Sodium cromoglicate is absorbed into the systemic circulation (presumably by way of the eye, nasal passages, buccal cavity and gastrointestinal tract). Trace amounts (less than 0.01%) of the sodium cromoglicate does penetrate the aqueous humour and clearance from this chamber is virtually complete within 24 hours after treatment is stopped.

In normal volunteers, analysis of drug excretion indicates that approximately 0.03% of Sodium cromoglicate is absorbed following administration to the eye.

None stated

Benzalkonium chloride

Disodium edetate

Sodium Chloride

Polysorbate 80

Water for Injection

None known.

Unopened : 24 months.

Opened : Discard solution 28 days after opening the bottle.

Do not store above 30° C, protected from direct sunlight

To avoid contamination do not touch dropper tip to any surface

Low Density Polyethylene BFS bottles with a polystyrene spiked cap which contains 5 mL and 10 mL of Sodium Cromoglicate 2 % w/v Eye Drops solution.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

No special instructions.