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Allercrom 2% w/v Eye Drops – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for healthcare professionals

The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) is written for healthcare professionals. Patients will find plain advice in the patient information leaflet: how to take, side effects, pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Updated:
Key facts
Status:
General sale (GSL)
Medicine strength:
2% w/v (20 mg/ml)
Contains active substance:

Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - Allercrom 2% w/v eye drops

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Allercrom 2% w/v Eye Drops

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Active substance: Sodium cromoglicate (equivalent to 20.0 mg/ml anhydrous Sodium Cromoglicate).

[Sodium Cromoglicate 2.0% w/v]

Excipient(s) with known effect:

Benzalkonium chloride 0.10 mg/ml

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Eye drops, solution.

A clear, colourless solution. Free from visible particulate matter.

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

For the relief and treatment of the eye symptoms of hayfever.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Allercrom Eye Drops should not be used continuously for more than 14 days except on the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Adults and Children over 6 years:

One or two drops to be administered into each eye four times daily.

Elderly:

There is no evidence to suggest that dosage alteration is required for elderly patients.

4.3 Contraindications

Patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients listed in section 6.1.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

This formulation of Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops contains 0.1mg/ml (4.5 micrograms
per dose) benzalkonium chloride as a preservative which may be deposited in soft contact
lenses. Hence, soft contact lenses should not be worn during treatment with sodium
cromoglicate eye drops. Other types of contact lenses should be removed before
instillation of the drops and not reinserted earlier than 15 minutes after use.
Benzalkonium chloride has been reported to cause eye irritation, symptoms of dry eyes
and may affect the tear film and corneal surface. Should be used with caution in dry eye
patients and in patients where the cornea may be compromised. Patients should be
monitored in case of prolonged use.
Patients should also be instructed that ocular solutions, if handled improperly can become
contaminated by common bacteria known to cause ocular infections.
Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using
contaminated solutions. Patients should also be advised that if they develop any
intercurrent ocular condition (e.g. trauma, ocular surgery or infection), they should
immediately seek their physician's advice concerning the continued use of present multi-
dose container. There have been reports of bacterial keratitis associated with the use of
topical ophthalmic products.
The carton label and patient information leaflet will state:
  • the patient should consult a doctor or pharmacist if symptoms do not start to
improve within 48 hours,

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

None known

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Fertility:

It is not known whether sodium cromoglicate has any effect on fertility.

Pregnancy:

Cumulative experience with sodium cromoglicate suggests that it has no adverse effects on foetal development. However, as with all medicines, caution should be exercised during pregnancy, and it should be used in pregnancy only when there is a clear need.

Lactation;

It is not known whether sodium cromoglicate is excreted in breast milk but on the basis of its physico-chemical properties, this is considered unlikely. There is no information to suggest the use of sodium cromoglicate has any undesirable effects on the baby.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Instillation may cause transient stinging or blurring of vision. Do not drive or operate machinery until normal vision is restored.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Transient stinging and burning on instillation of the drops. Rarely, other symptoms of local irritation.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow card scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9 Overdose

Overdosage is very unlikely. In the event of accidental ingestion, symptomatic treatment is recommended.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Ophthalmologicals; Other antiallergics, ATC code: SO1GX01

In vitro and in vivo animal studies have shown that Sodium cromoglicate inhibits the degranulation of sensitised mast cells which occurs after exposure to specific antigens. Sodium cromoglicate acts by inhibiting the release of histamine and various membrane derived mediators from the mast cell.

Sodium cromoglicate has demonstrated the activity in vitro to inhibit the degranulation of non-sensitised rat mast cells by phospholipase A and subsequent release of chemical mediators. Sodium cromoglicate did not inhibit the enzymatic activity of released phospholipase A on its specific substrate.

Sodium cromoglicate has no intrinsic vasoconstrictor or antihistamine activity.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Sodium cromoglicate is poorly absorbed. When multiple doses of Sodium cromoglicate ophthalmic solution are instilled into normal rabbit eyes, less than 0.07% of the administered dose of Sodium cromoglicate is absorbed into the systemic circulation (presumably by way of the eye, nasal passages, buccal cavity and gastrointestinal tract). Trace amounts (less than 0.01%) of the sodium cromoglicate does penetrate the aqueous humour and clearance from this chamber is virtually complete within 24 hours after treatment is stopped.

In normal volunteers, analysis of drug excretion indicates that approximately 0.03% of Sodium cromoglicate is absorbed following administration to the eye.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Pre-clinical safety data does not add anything of further significance to the prescriber.

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Benzalkonium chloride

Disodium edetate

Sodium chloride

Polysorbate 80

Water for injection

6.2 Incompatibilities

None known.

6.3 Shelf life

Unopened : 24 months.

Opened : Discard solution 28 days after opening the bottle.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 30oC. Protect from direct sunlight.

To avoid contamination do not touch dropper tip to any surface

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Low Density Polyethylene BFS bottles with a polystyrene spiked cap which contains 5 mL and 10 mL of Sodium Cromoglicate 2 % w/v Eye Drops solution.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling

No special instructions.

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

FDC International Ltd

Unit 6 Fulcrum 1, Solent Way

Solent Business Park, Whiteley

Fareham Hampshire PO15 7FE

United Kingdom

8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 15872/0008

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

16 May 2007 / 05 March 2012

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

06/11/2020

About this document

Source: MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (products.mhra.gov.uk)

Last revision stated in the text: 6 November 2020

What the sections and the side effect frequencies mean: How to read a patient leaflet

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The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Facts about Allercrom 2% w/v eye drops

What these facts mean

Prescription needed?? No, general sale list medicine (GSL) – also sold outside pharmacies
Active substance? Sodium cromoglicate
Strength? 2% w/v (20 mg/ml)
Pharmaceutical form? Eye drops
How is it taken? Ocular
Pack sizes 10 ml
Is it available?? Listed as available (NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices – not a record of current supplies)
Drug group (ATC)?
  1. S Sensory organ drugs
    1. S01 Ophthalmologicals
      1. S01G Decongestants and antiallergics
        1. S01GX Other antiallergics
          1. S01GX01 cromoglicic acid
Marketing authorisation? PL 15872/0008
Codes? GTIN 5050135001316 · BNF 11040200

Sources: the MHRA product information (products.mhra.gov.uk) and the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), release 11.1.0 of 9 November 2026, NHS Business Services Authority. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.