What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Cromolux.
It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What Cromolux is used for
Your medicine is used to treat allergic eye conditions such as hay fever and conjunctivitis, which are conditions that can cause itching, redness, discomfort and watery discharge from the eyes.
This medicine contains sodium cromoglycate, which works by acting on certain cells to prevent them from releasing substances that cause the allergic reaction.
Before you use Cromolux
When you must not use it
Do not use Cromolux if you have an allergy to:
- any medicine containing Sodium Cromoglycate
- any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
- any other similar medicines.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor or phamacist.
Before you start to use it
Cromolux should not be used while wearing soft contact lenses. Remove soft contact lenses before using Cromolux. Wait at least 20 - 30 minutes before putting the lenses back into your eye(s).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
Your doctor or pharmacist can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any kidney or liver problems.
Your doctor or pharmacist can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
Taking other medicines
Cromolux has not been shown to interact with any other medications.
How to use Cromolux
If you do not understand the instructions on the box/bottle, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How to use it
Adults and children: 1 - 2 drops into each eye 4 - 6 times a day at regular intervals. Continue with treatment for as long as needed to sustain relief. Using Cromolux for about a week before the expected allergy season may help reduce the symptoms associated with eye allergies.
- Wash your hands well with soap and water.
- Remove the lid from the bottle.
- Hold the bottle upside down between your thumb and index finger.
- Using your other hand, gently pull the lower eyelid down to form a pouch.
- Tilt your head back and look up.
- Put the tip of the bottle close to your lower eye. Do not let it touch your eye.
- Release one drop into the pouch formed between your lower eyelid and your eye by gently squeezing the bottle.
- Close your eye and keep it closed. Do not blink or rub your eye.
- While your eye is still closed, place your index finger against the inside corner of your eye and press against your nose for about two minutes. This will help to stop the medicine from draining through the tear duct to the nose and throat, from where it can absorbed to other parts of your body. Ask your doctor for more specific instructions on this technique.
- Replace the lid, sealing it tightly.
- Wash your hands again with soap and water to remove any residue.
Wait at least 20 - 30 minutes before replacing your soft contact lenses.
Be careful not to touch the dropper tip against your eye, eyelid or anything else to avoid contaminating the eye drops.
Contaminated eye drops may give you an eye infection.
You may feel a slight burning sensation in the eye shortly after using the eye drops.
If this persists, or is very uncomfortable, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
How long to use it
Continue with treatment for as long as needed to sustain relief.
If you use too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: telephone 13 11 26, New Zealand: telephone 03 474 7000) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Cromolux. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are using Cromolux
Things you must do
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are using Cromolux.
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you are using this medicine.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are using this medicine.
It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
If you become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are using this medicine.
It may interfere with the results of some tests.
Things you must not do
Do not use Cromolux to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Cromolux.
This medicine helps most people with allergic eye conditions but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
- Eye irritation
- Blurred vision
If you experience these side effects, stop using Cromolux and do not drive or operate hazardous machinery while the effects persist.
Temporary stinging or burning may occur following administration.
Discontinue use if irritation develops and consult a doctor if these effects persist or if other symptoms indicative of a reaction to benzalkonium chloride occur, eg swelling of the eyelids or conjunctiva.
The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine. They are usually mild and short-lived.
After using Cromolux
Storage
Keep eye drops in the box until it is time to use them.
Keep your eye drops in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25C.
Write the date of first opening in the space provided on the label.
Do not use Cromolux for longer than 28 days after the date of opening. Dispose of your medicine after this time.
Do not store Cromolux or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Cromolux eye drops are a clear colourless solution.
Ingredients
Cromolux contains 2% w/v of Sodium Cromoglycate as the active ingredient. It also contains:
- Benzalkonium Chloride
- Disodium edetate
- Purified water
Distributor
Australia:
AFT Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd.,
9 Water St., Caringbah NSW 2229
AUST R 122246
New Zealand:
AFT Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Auckland
Date of Preparation:
07 March 2005