Nedocromil

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2022.

Pharmacologic Class: Mast Cell Stabilizer

Uses for nedocromil

Nedocromil is used to prevent the symptoms of asthma. When it is used regularly, nedocromil lessens the number and severity of asthma attacks by reducing inflammation in the lungs. Nedocromil is also used just before exposure to conditions or substances (for example, allergens, chemicals, cold air, or air pollutants) to prevent bronchospasm (wheezing or difficulty in breathing). Nedocromil will not help an asthma attack or bronchospasm that has already started.

Nedocromil may be used alone or with other asthma medicines, such as bronchodilators (medicines that open up narrowed breathing passages) and steroids (cortisone-like medicines).

Nedocromil works by acting on certain inflammatory cells in the lungs to prevent them from releasing substances that cause asthma symptoms and bronchospasm.

Nedocromil was available only with your doctor's prescription.

Inhalation products containing nedocromil were withdrawn from the U.S. market by King Pharmaceuticals on April 30, 2008.

Before using nedocromil

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For nedocromil, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to nedocromil or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of nedocromil in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 6 years of age.

Geriatric

Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of nedocromil have not been performed in the geriatric population, no geriatrics-specific problems have been documented to date.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of nedocromil. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Asthma attack—Should not be used in patients with this condition.

Proper use of nedocromil

Nedocromil is used to help prevent symptoms of asthma or bronchospasm (wheezing or difficulty in breathi...