Sodium Cromoglicate 2% W/V Eye Drops
SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Sodium Cromoglicate 2% w/v Eye Drops
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Sodium Cromoglicate 2% w/v
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Eye drops, solution.
A clear, colourless solution.
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
The prevention and treatment of acute, seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Adults, Elderly & Children : One or two drops into each eye up to four times a day.
4.3 Contraindications
Patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
This formulation of Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops contains benzalkonium chloride as a preservative. Benzalkonium chloride may be deposited in soft contact lenses. Hence, Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops should not be used while wearing these lenses. The lenses should be removed before instillation of the drops and not reinserted earlier than 15 minutes after 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.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None known
4.6 Pregnancy and lactation
There are no adequeate and well-controlled studies of Sodium Cromoglicate eye drops in pregnant women. Therefore, use during pregnancy is not recommended unless the benefit outweighs the potential risk.
It is not known whether Sodium Cromoglicate is excreted in human milk. Therefore caution should be exercised when the eye drops are administered to nursing mothers.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Transient stinging or blurring of vision may occur on instillation of the drops.
Do not drive or use 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/vellowcard.
4.9 Overdose
Medical observation is recommended in cases of overdosage.
Sodium cromoglicate is poorly absorbed both from the eye and from the gastrointestinal tract.
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Sodium cromoglicate inhibits the degranulation of sensitised mast cells which normally occurs after exposure to allergens and thereby prevents the release of allergic mediators such as histamine.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Sodium cromoglicate is poorly absorbed from the eye (approximately 0.03% in healthy volunteers) due to its lipid insolubility. Orally, it is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract with a reported bioavailability of 1%. Systemically, sodium cromoglicate is excreted unchanged in the bile and urine.
Trace amounts have been detected in the aqueous humour of rabbit eyes up to 24 hours after administration.
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
Benzalkonium chloride may be deposited in and is known to discolour soft contact lenses. These lenses should therefore be removed before instillation of the eye drops and not reinserted earlier than 15 minutes after use.
6.3 Shelf life
Unopened: 24 months
Opened: 1 month
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
The container is a bottle of low density polyethylene (LDPE) with a polystyrene spiked cap closure which contains 13.5ml of Sodium Cromoglicate 2% w/v Eye Drops solution.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal
No special instructions.
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
FDC International Ltd Unit 6 Fulcrum 1,
Solent Way,
Whiteley,
Fareham,
Hampshire PO15 7FE UK
8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
PL 15872/0010
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE
AUTHORISATION
16/05/2007
10
DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
20/07/2015