ALLERGY\MEDICAL HELP: SODIUM CROMOGLYCATE
Sodium cromoglycate is a drug which works by stabilising the mast cells which are the cells primarily responsible for releasing histamine and other chemicals during an allergic reaction. Stabilising the mast cells reduces the amount of histamine released. It works best for people who have true allergy but can be effective sometimes in cases of food intolerance or chemical sensitivity. It is almost totally free of side effects. Adverse reactions to it are extremely rare.
The drug can be given as eye-drops for conjunctivitis (e.g. Opticrom), as a nasal spray (eg. Rynacrom) or in a spinhaler or pressurised aerosol for asthma (e.g. Intal). It can take from a few days to several weeks for the drug to take effect and needs to be taken continuously during the period of exposure.
It can be taken as a powder by mouth with water to block food sensitivity reactions (e.g. Nalcrom). Large doses of the drug may be needed to make this effective. It can also take a time of experimenting with Nalcrom to find the right dose (usually 6-10 capsules 30 minutes to an hour before a meal) as individuals vary in the dosage that they need. So most people who take it reserve its use for special occasions -for children to go to birthday parties for instance, for family celebrations, or for meals out. It is not usually prescribed for anyone who has had a violent, immediate allergic reaction to a food, who should avoid that food completely. The risks of the drug not working are very slight but not worth taking in these situations.
In clearly allergic cases, sodium cromoglycate is usually tried before steroid drugs are, and is effective in most cases, avoiding the need for steroids.
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