WHY IS THIS DRUG PRESCRIBED? Cromolyn sodium is used to prevent the breathing diffuculty (bronchospasma) of asthma attacks due to exercise, allergies, and other factors. It is also used to treat symptoms of an inflammatory condition called mastocytosis. WHEN should it be used? Cromolyn sodium must be taken on reguler schedule (usually three or four times a day) to prevent asthma attack or allergy symptoms. It is not used after an asthma attack has started. It is most effective when used before exposure to substances that cause allergies (e.g pollen). If you have seasonal allergies, used cromolyn odium until the season is over. To prevent breathing difficulty, use cromolyn sodium less than one hour before exercising or exposure to substance known to cause bronchospam. Fallow the instructions on your prescrition label carefully, and ask you pharmacist or doctor to explain any part that you do not understand. Allergy symptoms and asthma usually improvement within two to four weeks, although improvement in asthma may not occur for six to eight weeks. When used before exercise, cromolyn sodium prevent breathing diffuculty for up to four hours. HOW should it be used? Cromlyn sodium inhaltion comes as powder in capsules, an aerosol, and a liquid for used in spesial inhaler. Do not swallow the capsules. They are used with an inhalation device. Do not remove a capsule from its foil until you are ready ti use it, and handle it as little a possible. Moisture from your hands will soften it. Befoe you teken cromolyn sdium by inhalation the first time, read the written instructions that come with it. Ask your doctor, pharmasist, or respiratory therapist to demostrate the proper tecnique and to show you how to insert the capsules. Practise sing your inhalation device while in his or her presence. To use the inhaler, fallow these steps : 1. Shake the inhaler well 2. Exhale (brethe out) as completely as possible through your nose while your mouth shut. 3. Place the open end of the mouthpiece well into your mouth, past your front teeth. Close your lips tightly around the mouthpiece 4. Take slow, deep breath through the mouthpiece and, at the same time, press down on the container to spray the medication into your mouth. Be sure that the mist goes into your throat and is not bloked by your teeth or tongue. Adult giving the treatment to young children may hold the childs nose closed to be sure that the medication goes into childs throat. 5. Hold your breth for a few second, remove the inhaler, and exhale slowly through your nose or mouth.
Wait at least two minutes between inhalations. If you have diffuculty getting the medication into your lungs, aspacer (a spesial device that attaches to the inhaler) may help; ask your doctor, pharmasist or respiratory therapist If you have used the inhaler as directed and still cannot breathe freely, contact your doctor.