MAST CELL STABILIZER
Place in Therapy
Place in therapy
Sodium cromoglycate prevents release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells in presence of allergens. This agent has been shown be more efficacious than placebo to treat ocular symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. When used continuously from 1 week prior to allergy season, sodium cromoglycate demonstrated better quality of life improvement than if it was used on an as needed basis. This suggests that for patients with recurrent seasonal allergic rhinitis, sodium cromoglycate may be used as prophylaxis prior to allergy season.
Patients who have been exposed to allergen can also use sodium cromoglycate for symptom relief. For acute treatment of ocular symptoms, sodium cromoglycate is a second line option because its onset of action may take up to a week. Although there has been no trials comparing sodium cromoglycate with histamine or decongestants, sodium cromoglycate have a better safety profile with minimal systemic effects. Its main disadvantage is frequent administration requirement: 4 times a day. Since patients may not experience immediate symptom relief, artificial tears, topical histamine / decongestants may be used initially for symptom relief.
References
1. Cromolyn Product Monograph. Pharmascience Inc, Quebec. Published Oct 24, 2001.
Sodium cromoglycate prevents release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells in presence of allergens. This agent has been shown be more efficacious than placebo to treat ocular symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. When used continuously from 1 week prior to allergy season, sodium cromoglycate demonstrated better quality of life improvement than if it was used on an as needed basis. This suggests that for patients with recurrent seasonal allergic rhinitis, sodium cromoglycate may be used as prophylaxis prior to allergy season.
Patients who have been exposed to allergen can also use sodium cromoglycate for symptom relief. For acute treatment of ocular symptoms, sodium cromoglycate is a second line option because its onset of action may take up to a week. Although there has been no trials comparing sodium cromoglycate with histamine or decongestants, sodium cromoglycate have a better safety profile with minimal systemic effects. Its main disadvantage is frequent administration requirement: 4 times a day. Since patients may not experience immediate symptom relief, artificial tears, topical histamine / decongestants may be used initially for symptom relief.
References
1. Cromolyn Product Monograph. Pharmascience Inc, Quebec. Published Oct 24, 2001.