Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Allergy Relief 2% w/v eye drops, Solution
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Sodium cromoglicate may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
FOR This medicine contains sodium cromoglicate. This belongs to a group of medicines called anti-allergics. It works by stopping the release of the natural substances in your eyes that can lead to an allergic reaction. Signs of an allergic reaction include itchy, watery, red or inflamed eyes and puffy eyelids. This medicine is used for the prevention and treatment of eye allergies. These allergies can happen:
- At any time of the year and is called 'perennial allergic conjunctivitis'.
- In different seasons of the year caused by different pollens. This is called 'seasonal allergic conjunctivitis' or hay fever.
What you need to know before you take it
E THIS MEDICINE Do not use this medicine
- If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to sodium cromoglicate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in Section 6, contents of the pack and other information). Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat, tongue and worsening of redness, itching or swelling of the eye or eyelid. Do not use this medicine if the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you wear soft contact lenses. You should not wear contact lenses while using these drops. If you are not sure if the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine. Other medicines and this medicine Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Driving and using machines You may have blurred eyesight straight after using this medicine. If this happens, do not drive or use any tools or machines until you can see clearly. This medicine contains benzalkonium chloride. This medicine contains 100 micrograms of benzalkonium chloride in each ml of solution. Benzalkonium chloride may be absorbed by soft contact lenses and may change the colour of the contact lenses. You should remove contact lenses before using this medicine and put them back 15 minutes afterwards. Benzalkonium chloride may also cause eye irritation, especially if you have dry eyes or disorders of the cornea (the clear layer at the front of the eye). If you feel abnormal eye sensation, stinging or pain in the eye after using this medicine, talk to your doctor.
3.HOW TO USE THIS MEDICINE Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Adults and Children
How to take it
this medicine
- Wash your hands.
- Before using the medication for the first time, be sure that the tamper-proof seal on the bottle neck is unbroken. A gap between the bottle and the cap is normal for an unopened bottle.
- Remove the cap from the bottle.
- Tilt your head back.
- Squeeze one or two drops inside the lower lid without touching your eye.
- Close your eye.
- Wipe away any excess liquid from the eyes with a clean tissue.
- Always put the cap back on the bottle as soon as you have used it.
- Repeat in the other eye if needed. How much to use
- One or two drops in each eye four times a day, or as directed by your doctor.
- If your symptoms worsen or do not improve, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. If you use more of this medicine than you should Contact your doctor if you use the eye drops more frequently than the recommended dose, or continuously for more than three months. If you forget to use this medicine If you forget a dose, use your drops as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you stop using this medicine You should keep using these drops if you are still around the things that you are allergic to. If you stop using this medicine your allergy symptoms may come back. If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Stop using this medicine and see a doctor as soon as possible if:
- The itching, redness or swelling gets worse. You may be allergic to this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if any of the side effects get serious or last longer than a few days, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet:
- Stinging or burning in your eyes or blurring of eyesight. This should only last for a short time and occurs immediately after using the eye drops.
- Mild eye irritation.
Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme (Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store). By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store it
THIS MEDICINE Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the bottle label and carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. This medicine does not require any special storage conditions before opening the bottle and after opening the bottle, do not store above 25°C. This medicine is sterile when you buy it, so you must not keep it for more than four weeks after opening the bottle. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
Contents of the pack and other information
What this medicine contains
- The active substance is sodium cromoglicate. Each 1ml of eye drops contains 20mg of sodium cromoglicate (2.0% w/v). One drop contains 0.7mg of sodium cromoglicate.
- The other ingredients are disodium edetate, benzalkonium chloride and water for injections. What this medicine looks like and contents of the pack This medicine is a clear colourless to pale yellow solution supplied in either a 5ml or 10ml plastic dropper bottle with a tamper-proof cap. Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Marketing Authorisation Holder Aspire Pharma Limited Unit 4, Rotherbrook Court Bedford Road Petersfield Hampshire GU32 3QG United Kingdom Manufacturer Rafarm S.A. Agiou Louka Str. 19002 Paiania Attiki Greece This leaflet was last revised in 11/2022 1010247-P6.3
Frequently asked questions about Allergy Relief 2% w/v eye drops, Solution
How do I take Allergy Relief 2% w/v eye drops, Solution?
Allergy Relief 2% w/v eye drops, Solution comes as eye drops. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Allergy Relief 2% w/v eye drops, Solution?
The active substance in Allergy Relief 2% w/v eye drops, Solution is sodium cromoglicate.
Are there equivalent medicines to Allergy Relief 2% w/v eye drops, Solution?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Allercrom 2% w/v Eye Drops, Aspire Hayfever Relief 2% w/v Eye Drops, solution, Boots Hayfever Relief 2% w/v Eye Drops. In total there are 18 equivalent products. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Allergy Relief 2% w/v eye drops, Solution, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Allergy Relief 2% w/v eye drops, Solution without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: sodium cromoglicate
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
For the relief and treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Topical ophthalmic administration
Adults and Children
One or two drops in each eye four times a day or as indicated by the doctor.
Older people
There is no evidence to suggest that dosage alteration is required for elderly patients.
4.3. Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Discard any remaining contents four weeks after opening the bottle.
Sodium cromoglicate eye drops contains benzalkonium chloride.
As with other ophthalmic solutions containing benzalkonium chloride, soft contact lenses should not be worn during the treatment period.
From the limited data available, there is no difference in the adverse event profile in children compared to adults. Generally, however, eyes in children show a stronger reaction for a given stimulus than the adult eye. Irritation may have an effect on treatment adherence in children.
Benzalkonium chloride has been reported to cause eye irritation, symptoms of dry eyes and may affect the tear film and corneal surface. Should be used with caution in dry eye patients and in patients where the cornea may be compromised.
Patients should be monitored in case of prolonged use.
Sodium cromoglicate can be used prophylactically. Patients should seek advice before they discontinue use of the product.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None known.
4.6. Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy:
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 fetal development. It should be used in pregnancy only where there is a clear need.
Lactation:
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.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
As with all eye drops, instillation of these eye drops may cause a transient blurring of vision. Patients are advised not to drive or operate machinery if affected, until their vision returns to normal.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Eye disorders
Transient stinging and burning may occur after instillation. Other symptoms of local irritation have been reported rarely.
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 the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard, or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
No action other than medical observation should be necessary.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Allergy Relief 2% w/v eye drops, Solution. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
Medicines containing Sodium cromoglicate
- Allercrom 2% w/v Eye Drops
- Aspire Hayfever Relief 2% w/v Eye Drops, solution
- Catacrom Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Preservative Free Unit Dose Eye Drops
- Eycrom 2% w/v eye drops, solution
- Librachrom 2% w/v eye drops, solution
- Librachrom Hayfever Relief 2% w/v eye drops, solution
- Opticrom Allergy 2% w/v Eye Drops, Solution (Aspire MAH)
- Opticrom Allergy Single Dose 2% w/v Eye Drops, Solution
- Opticrom Aqueous 2% w/v Eye Drops, Solution (Aspire MAH)
- Opticrom Hayfever 2% w/v Eye Drops, solution (Aspire MAH)
- Optrex Allergy 2% w/v Eye Drops, Solution (eye drops)
- Optrex Hayfever Relief 2% w/v Eye Drops
- Sodium cromoglicate 100mg/5ml oral solution
- Sodium cromoglicate 2 %w/v Eye drops, Solution_PL 25298/0305