Cromolyn Sodium inhalation aerosol

What is this medicine?

CROMOLYN SODIUM (KROE moe lin SOE dee um) helps reduce inflammation. This medicine is used to treat the symptoms of asthma. It is also used to prevent bronchospasm from exercise or irritants. Never use this medicine to treat an acute asthma attack.

How should I use this medicine?

Inhale this medicine through the mouth. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice. Make sure that you are using your inhaler correctly. Ask you doctor or health care provider if you have any questions.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 5 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing difficulty, wheezing

• dizzy

• fever, infection

• joint pain, swelling

• passing urine more often

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• bad taste

• cough

• headache

• heartburn

• irritated, dry throat

• nausea

• stuffy nose

What may interact with this medicine?

Interactions are not expected.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. Then space remaining doses evenly throughout the rest of the day. Do not use double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep a record of the number of sprays used. Discard the canister after the 122 or 200 sprays are used. See your medicine package for number of sprays that your inhaler holds. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• heart disease

• irregular heartbeats

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to cromolyn, fluorocarbons, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve. If your symptoms get worse or if you need your short-acting inhalers more often, call your doctor right away.

Do not get this medicine in your eyes. It can cause irritation.

If you get a bitter or unpleasant taste in your mouth, gargle or rinse your mouth after you use this medicine.

If you use this medicine to prevent a bronchospasm from exercise or an irritant, use it 10 to 15 minutes, but not more than 60 minutes, before exposure.