How and when to use sodium cromoglicate eye drops - Brand names: Allercrom, Catacrom, Murine Hayfever Relief, Opticrom, Optrex

Follow the leaflet instructions that come with your eye drops, or follow your pharmacist or doctor's instructions.

Dosage

The usual dose of sodium cromoglicate eye drops for adults and children is 1 or 2 drops into each eye, 4 times a day.

How to use sodium cromoglicate eye drops

1. Wash your hands before and after using the drops.
2. If you wear contact lenses, take them out before using the eye drops.
3. If you are using a bottle, remove the lid. If you are using the single-dose dropper, twist off the tip.
4. Make sure the dropper does not touch anything, including your eye, eyelashes, eyelid or your skin.
5. Use your finger to gently pull down your lower eyelid and tilt your head back.
6. Hold the dropper over your eye, look up, and allow 1 or 2 drops to fall into your lower eyelid.
7. Close your eye.
8. Wipe away any extra liquid with a clean tissue.
9. Repeat steps 5 to 8 in your other eye (if that's your prescribed dose), or if needed. There is enough liquid in a single-dose dropper to put 1 or 2 drops in both eyes.
10. Put the cap back on the bottle or if you are using the single-dose dropper, throw the dropper away.
11. Wait at least 15 minutes before putting contact lenses back in.

If you wear contact lenses (hard or soft), do not use sodium cromoglicate eye drops while you are wearing them, even if they are preservative-free eye drops. Soft lenses, especially, can absorb the preservative and it can sometimes discolour lenses.

If you’re using more than 1 type of eye drop medicine, wait 5 to 10 minutes before dropping the next medicine into your eye. This allows your eyes to absorb both types of eye drops.

How long to use it for

If you bought sodium cromoglicate eye drops from a pharmacy, stop using them when you think you no longer need them.

If the pollen is high or you find yourself in a dusty environment, for example, you’re more likely to come into contact with the substance you're allergic to. When this happens, you can use your eye drops every day. This will reduce your symptoms.

Do not use them continuously for more than 2 weeks unless you have been advised by a doctor or pharmacist. Ask for advice if you're not sure when to stop.

If it's been more than 4 weeks since you first opened your bottle of sodium cromoglicate eye drops, throw it away. Using it for longer than 4 weeks may increase the chance of eye infections, and the medicine may not work as well after this time.

Try writing the date of when you first opened the eye drops on the bottle, packet on the label or the box. This will help you to remember when you need to start using a new one.

If your symptoms get worse or do not improve after 14 days, check with a pharmacist or doctor before you carry on.

If you forget to use your eye drops

If you forget your dose of sodium cromoglicate eye drops, you can use them as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. If this happens, just skip the missed dose and continue with your next one at the usual time.

Do not add extra eye drops to your dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember your medicines.

If you use too much eye drops

Using too much sodium cromoglicate eye drops is unlikely to harm you.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're worried.