Cromolyn (Systemic, Oral Inhalation)

Class: Mast-cell Stabilizers
VA Class: RE100
CAS Number: 15826-37-6

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jun 22, 2021. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Mast-cell stabilizer.

Uses for Cromolyn (Systemic, Oral Inhalation)

Asthma

Prevention of bronchial asthma symptoms.

Has been used as an alternative to low-dose inhaled corticosteroids in patients with mild persistent asthma, but is less effective and generally not preferred as initial therapy.

Not effective for treatment of acute attacks of asthma, especially status asthmaticus. (See Acute Bronchospasm under Warnings/Precautions.)

Prevention of Bronchospasm

Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm or that induced by exposure to other known precipitating factors (e.g., cold dry air, allergens, sulfur dioxide, toluene diisocyanate, environmental pollutants). Less effective than orally inhaled β₂-adrenergic agonists in preventing exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Systemic Mastocytosis

Symptomatic treatment of systemic mastocytosis (designated an orphan drug by US FDA for this use). Improves diarrhea, abdominal pain, pruritus, whealing, flushing, cognitive dysfunction, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and urticaria. Efficacy appears similar to chlorpheniramine maleate plus cimetidine in reducing the signs and symptoms of mastocytosis.

Food Allergy

Has been used for the prophylactic management of food allergy†.

Cromolyn (Systemic, Oral Inhalation) Dosage and Administration

General

Asthma

• Initiate oral inhalation therapy after acute asthma has been controlled, the airway is clear, and the patient is able to inhale adequately.

• When oral inhalation is added to existing therapy, initially do not change dosage of concurrent antiasthmatic agents (e.g., inhaled β₂-adrenergic agonist or inhaled corticosteroid). When a response to therapy is evident, gradually reduce the dosage of concurrent age...