Cromolyn

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KEY POINTS

• Cromolyn is medicine used to prevent asthma symptoms.
• It is taken every day, even when your child is not having symptoms. It does not give quick relief in acute attacks.
• Make sure you know how and when your child needs to take the medicine. Your child should not take more or less than he or she is supposed to take.
• Ask your child’s healthcare provider or pharmacist to review the side effects that Cromolyn may cause and what you should do if your child has side effects.

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What is this medicine used for?

Cromolyn is a medicine used to prevent asthma symptoms. This medicine is taken every day, even when your child is not having symptoms. This medicine is called a controller medicine because when it is taken regularly every day, it helps to control symptoms.

Cromolyn does not give quick relief from wheezing in acute asthma attacks. For acute attacks, your child needs a different type of medicine called a reliever.

Asthma symptoms are caused by 2 different problems in the airways:

• One problem is that the muscles in the airways tighten up, which causes the feeling of chest tightness and wheezing.
• The other problem is swelling, irritation, and too much mucus in the airways.

Asthma symptoms often start after exposure to a trigger. Asthma triggers can include pollen, animals, mold, colds, exercise, cold air, and air pollutants. It is important to know what things trigger your child's asthma symptoms. Help your child avoid the things that trigger an asthma attack. Your child should keep reliever medicine with him at all times in case he or she has an asthma attack.

How does it work?

When your child is exposed to something that triggers asthma symptoms, it causes swelling and irritation in the airways. Cromolyn helps to prevent asthma symptoms by blocking this allergic response to triggers. When there is less swelling, your child will have fewer symptoms and be able to breathe better.

Cromolyn is commonly given with a nebulizer. A nebulizer is a machine that your child can use at home. Medicine is mixed with liquid and the machine forms a mist. Your child breathes in the mist to help get the medicine into his or her lungs.

What else do I need to know about this medicine?

• Follow the directions that come with your child’s medicine, including information about food. Make sure you know how and when your child needs to take the medicine. Your child should not take more or less than he or she is supposed to take.
• Try to get all of your child’s prescriptions filled at the same place. Your pharmacist can help make sure that all of your child’s medicines are safe to take together.
• Keep a list of your child’s medicines with you. List all of the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that your child takes. Tell all healthcare providers who treat your child about all of the products your child takes.
• Many medicines have side effects. A side effect is a symptom or problem that is caused by the medicine. Ask your child’s healthcare provider or pharmacist to review the side effects that Cromolyn may cause and what you should do if your child has side effects.

If you have any questions, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information. Be sure to keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.