Opticrom^TM Aqueous Eye Drops

Sodium cromoglicate 2.0% w/v.

A clear colourless to pale yellow solution for administration to the eye.

For the prophylaxis and symptomatic treatment of acute allergic conjunctivitis, chronic allergic conjunctivitis and vernal kerato conjunctivitis.

Adults and children: one or two drops into each eye four times daily or as indicated by the doctor.

Elderly: no current evidence for alteration of the dose.

Route of administration: topical ophthalmic.

The product is contraindicated in patients who have shown hypersensitivity to Sodium cromoglicate, Benzalkonium chloride or Disodium edetate.

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.

None known.

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 clinical need.

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.

As with all eye drops, instillation of Opticrom may cause a transient blurring of vision.

Transient stinging and burning may occur after instillation. Other symptoms of local irritation have been reported rarely.

No action other than medical observation should be necessary.

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.

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 humour 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.

None stated.

Benzalkonium chloride, Disodium edetate, Purified water.

None known.

3 years.

The eye drops should be used within 4 weeks of opening the container. Any remaining after this time should be discarded.

Store below 30^oC.

Protect from direct sunlight.

Low density polyethylene bottle and plug with a polypropylene cap with a shrink type security seat containing 13.5 ml.

None.

Sanofi-aventis

One Onslow Street

Guildford

Surrey

GU1 4YS

UK

PL 04425/0324

28 February 2003

December 2006

POM