Summary of medicine characteristics - OPELLA ALLERGY 2.0% W/V EYE DROPS SOLUTION
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Aventis Allergy 2.0% w/v Eye Drops, Solution
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Sodium cromoglicate 2.0% w/v.
For full list of excipients, see section 6.1
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Eye Drops, Solution (Eye Drops)
A clear colourless or pale yellow liquid.
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
For the relief and treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Topical Ophthalmic administration
One or two drops in each eye four times a day or as indicated by the doctor.
Elderly
No current evidence for alteration of the dose.
4.3 Contraindications
The product is contra-indicated in patients who have shown hypersensitivity to sodium cromoglicate, benzalkonium chloride or disodium edetate.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Discard any remaining contents four weeks after opening the bottle.
As with other ophthalmic solutions containing Benzalkonium chloride, soft contact lenses should not be worn during treatment period.
Sodium cromoglicate can be used prophylactically. Patients should seek advice before they discontinue use of the product.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None known.
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
As with all medication, caution should be exercised especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. Cumulative experience with Sodium cromoglicate suggests that it has no adverse effects on foetal development. It should be used in pregnancy only where there is a clear need.
Lactation
It is not known whether Sodium cromoglicate is excreted in human breast milk but, on the basis of its physicochemical 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
As with all eye drops, instillation of Opticrom may cause a transient blurring of vision or local irritation that could impact driving or operating machinery. Do not drive or operate machinery if affected.
4.8 Undesirable effects
Eye Disorders
Transient stinging and burning may occur after instillation. Other symptoms of local irritation have been reported rarely.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting of 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 the 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
4.9 OverdoseNo action other than medical observation should be necessary.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Ophthalmologicals; Other antiallergics, ATC Code: S01GX01
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 into the aqueous humor 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
5.3 Preclinical safety dataNone
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Disodium edetate, benzalkonium chloride, purified water.
6.2 Incompatibilities
None known.
6.3 Shelf life
36 months.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Store below 30°C and protect from direct sunlight. Discard any remaining contents four
weeks after opening.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
Low density polyethylene bottle without lauric diethanolamide and plug with a polypropylene cap with a shrink-type security seal containing 5 ml or 10 ml solution.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal
6.6 Special precautions for disposalNot applicable.
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Opella Healthcare UK Limited, trading as Sanofi,
410 Thames Valley Park Drive,
Reading,
Berkshire,
RG6 1PT, United Kingdom.