Asthma, unfortunately, is a fairly common disease. Attacks and exacerbations of this disease are not only unpleasant, but also extremely dangerous, as they can lead to suffocation. Naturally, patients are offered a lot of drugs that can stop asthmatic attacks. The list of such drugs also includes cromolyn sodium.
Of course, patients who are faced with the need to take this remedy are looking for more information about it. What is included? Are there any contraindications? In what forms is the medicine produced and how to take it correctly? The answers to these questions will be useful to many readers.
Cromoline sodium: release form
Cromoline-sodium is a substance on the basis of which many different preparations have been created. Most often, in a pharmacy, the medicine can be purchased in the form of capsules with a powder inside. Each of them contains 20 mg of the active substance (usually 30 capsules in one package). They are not taken orally, but are used for inhalation. Naturally,you will also need to purchase a special turbo inhaler for this procedure.
In addition, the medicine can be purchased in the form of a solution. As a rule, pharmacists offer patients special Bicromat ampoules, which are also designed to irrigate the mucous membranes of the respiratory system. Comes with a special inhaler. It is worth saying that for each procedure you need to open a new ampoule - the remains of the solution should never be used.
There is a special form of sodium chromoglycate intended for oral use. The drug "Nalkrom" is produced in the form of capsules. The medicine is used to treat allergic reactions from the digestive tract. As part of complex therapy, the drug can be used for ulcerative colitis.
In the pharmacy you can even buy special nasal drops called Lomusol. The drug in the form of an aerosol, placed in cans, is widely used for the prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis.
How does the drug affect the human body?
How does cromolyn sodium affect the body? The pharmacological group of drugs created on the basis of this component are substances that relieve bronchospasm. Similar properties of the drug are associated with its effect on the mast cells of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Cromolyn sodium inhibits the degranulation of labrocytes and delays the release of mediators - specific active substances that can cause bronchospasm, allergicreaction, inflammatory process.
Researchers also allow for the possibility that cromolyn partially blocks receptors that bind inflammatory mediators. It is possible that this substance inhibits the release of adreno- and cholinergic mediators by lymphoid cells.
It should be said right away that the medicine is effective only if it is used for inhalation. Oral administration of the drug does not give the desired effect.
When is the drug prescribed? Readings
According to studies, cromolyn sodium helps patients suffering from asthmatic attacks. It is asthma that is the main indication for the use of the drug. On the other hand, it is not used to stop acute attacks. It is believed that the drug helps to reduce the number and intensity of seizures. Treatment is more successful if the patient does not yet have chronic pathological changes in the lung tissues. The drug is more effective in atopic forms of asthma. As part of complex therapy, it is also used for pneumosclerosis and asthmatic bronchitis.
Cromoline sodium: instructions for use of different drugs
For asthma, bronchospasm, allergic reactions, asthmatic bronchitis, as a rule, medicine is prescribed in the form of special capsules containing powder inside. To use the drug, you need a special turboinhaler, inside which the capsule is placed. By clicking onthe cap of the device, the capsule is pierced, and the powder can freely enter the respiratory tract during inhalation. Most patients need to take four deep breaths for the medicine to be completely swallowed.
Daily dose, of course, is determined individually. However, most patients are advised to inhale four times a day. In the most difficult cases, eight capsules per day should be taken. The maximum effect can be observed after 2-4 weeks. After that, the dose of medication can be gradually reduced.
Are there possible adverse reactions during therapy?
Statistical studies, as well as reviews of drugs containing cromolyn sodium, indicate that this drug rarely causes any serious side effects and in most cases is well tolerated by patients. Sometimes patients note a slight cough that occurs after inhalation - it can usually be relieved by drinking a glass of warm water. In some patients, after the ingestion of this substance into the body, a bronchospasm is observed - in such cases, the agent can only be used in the form of inhalation.
If, during therapy, you experience more severe complications, your he alth worsens, the attacks become more severe, you should immediately tell your doctor about this.
Contraindications for treatment
Can all patients be prescribed drugs containing cromolyn sodium? The instruction indicates thatthat the remedy has very few contraindications. For example, preparations based on it are not prescribed to women during the first three months of pregnancy. Restrictions also include children's age - such therapy is not prescribed to a child under five years of age. Different forms of medication have their own set of additional substances - it is worth familiarizing yourself with their list, since hypersensitivity to any of the components is a contraindication.
In addition, this drug is prescribed with caution to patients suffering from severe kidney and liver diseases - in such cases, patients should be carefully monitored, noting the slightest changes in he alth.
Analogues and synonyms of the drug
What drugs contain cromolyn sodium? A prescription (in Latin, the name of the active substance looks like this: Cromolyn sodium), prescribed by a doctor, can sometimes be misleading, since there is no drug with the same name as in the title of our article. But there are many medicines based on it. Naturally, each of them has its own, unique set of excipients and additional active ingredients. And a different form of release. The list of drugs containing cromolyn includes Intal, Lomusol, Lomudal, Lomupren, Introl, Bikromat and many others.
Additional information
This medicine should not be used directly in an asthmatic attack. On the other hand, cromolyn sodium works well withbronchodilators and corticosteroids. Unfortunately, with a long-term, chronic disease, when there are irreversible changes in the structure of the lungs, the medicine does not give the desired effect.
Keep capsules (or spray cans) in a cool place, away from light and fire.
Medication reviews
Of course, after familiarizing themselves with the basic information about a substance called cromolyn sodium, patients are looking for reviews from doctors and patients who have already completed a course of therapy. Experts note that there is indeed a positive effect from the use of the drug. With proper use, it is possible to reduce the intensity of asthmatic attacks. Moreover, in some cases, it is even possible to abandon steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The patients themselves also have a good opinion about the drug, as it helps to cope with a lot of problems, including allergic diseases. That is why drugs based on cromolyn sodium are so popular in modern medicine. Their price, of course, depends on the form of release. For example, the packaging of Lomadul or Lomusol capsules (this option is most often used for asthma) ranges from 1350 to 1500 rubles.
