Sodium Cromoglycate for Inhalation

What is sodium cromoglycate?

Sodium cromoglycate is a medicine used to prevent the symptoms of asthma. When it is used regularly, this medicine lessens the number and severity of asthma attacks by reducing inflammation in the lungs.

Sodium cromoglycate is called a "preventer" medicine. It does not relieve or stop an asthma attack that has already started. Your child should use a reliever medicine for asthma attacks, such as salbutamol.

Sodium cromoglycate may also be used just before exposure to conditions or substances (for example, exercise, allergens, such as pollen, aspirin, chemicals, cold air, or air pollutants) that cause wheezing or difficulty in breathing.

Sodium cromoglycate comes in a solution (liquid) for inhalation.

Before giving sodium cromoglycate to your child?

Tell your doctor if your child has an allergy to sodium cromoglycate or any other part of this medicine.

How should you give your child sodium cromoglycate?

Give your child the sodium cromoglycate:

• regularly and exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you
• at the same times every day. Pick times that are easy for you so that you do not miss doses.

Talk to your child's doctor before you stop giving this medicine for any reason. Your child may become ill if they stop taking this medicine suddenly. If you are not sure how to give your child this medicine, ask the pharmacist or the Asthma Clinic nurse to show you how.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of sodium cromoglycate?

• Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Give the next dose at the regular time.
• Do not give your child two doses to make up for one missed dose.

How long does sodium cromoglycate take to work?

Your child may start feeling better several days after starting this medicine. It may take up to 4 weeks after your child starts taking sodium cromoglycate before this medicine has full effect.

What are the possible side effects of sodium cromoglycate?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take sodium cromoglycate. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects, and they do not go away, or they bother your child:

• upset stomach
• sore throat, coughing, or trouble swallowing
• headache

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency Department if your child has any of these side effects:

• wheezing
• chest tightness
• fever
• itching
• bad cough
• blue skin colour
• swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• any other unusual behaviour

What safety measures should you take when your child is using sodium cromoglycate?

Keep all appointments at the clinic or doctor's office so that the doctor can check your child's reaction to sodium cromoglycate. The doctor may need to change the dose so that your child is getting the right amount.

These warning signs indicate that your child's asthma is getting worse and that your child needs to see your doctor:

• symptoms become worse or more frequent, such as coughing, attacks of wheezing, chest tightness, or severe breathlessness
• relief lasts less than 3 hours after taking the reliever medicine
• your child wakes up at night with chest tightness, wheezing, or shortness of breath
• your child is missing school or other activities because of asthma

If your child also uses a corticosteroid (another preventer medicine) or a reliever, they must continue to use these medicines. Do not stop taking these medicines, even if your child seems better, unless you are told to do so by your doctor.

This medicine may cause a dry mouth, dry throat, or throat irritation. To help relieve these symptoms, your child can gargle and rinse their mouth, drink water, or suck on hard, sugarless candy.

Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicines (prescription, non-prescription, herbal, or natural products).

What other important information should you know about sodium cromoglycate?

• Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others. Do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Make sure you always have enough sodium cromoglycate to last through weekends, holidays, and vacations. Call your pharmacy at least 2 days before your child runs out of medicine to order refills.
• Keep sodium cromoglycate at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do NOT store it in the bathroom or kitchen.
• Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.
  

Keep sodium cromoglycate out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much sodium cromoglycate, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.