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.
Catacrom Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Preservative Free Unit Dose Eye Drops
⚠ 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
Children If you have any questions concerning the use of these eye drops in a child, or are unsure whether the child has allergic eyes, you should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
Catacrom Eye Drops are for the relief and treatment of allergic red, watery, itchy and puffy eyes caused by hayfever, house mites, and other causes of allergy such as pet hairs. Eye allergy can happen when sensitive eyes are exposed to these causes of allergy. Catacrom Eye Drops is a medicine which affects cells called mast cells. It prevents them from releasing chemical substances which cause symptoms such as the redness, watering, itching and puffiness of allergic reactions. These eye drops can be used by wearers of rigid or gas permeable contact lenses and can be used by people who are sensitive to preservatives in other kinds of eye drops.
What you need to know before you take it
e Catacrom Eye Drops Do not use Catacrom Eye Drops:
- if you are allergic to sodium cromoglicate, or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions
Take special care with Catacrom Eye Drops: Before using these eye drops, you must be sure that your eye irritation is the result of allergy (or you have been previously diagnosed by your doctor as suffering from allergy). You can be confident that you have allergic eyes if:
- both eyes are affected
- you have a blocked or runny nose as well
- your eyesight is not affected
Other medicines and Catacrom Eye Drops Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. If you have any questions about using these eye drops with other eye treatments, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. 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 using these eye drops. Your doctor or pharmacist may prefer a different treatment to be used under these circumstances. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. Driving and using machines If there are changes to your vision after using these eye drops, wait until you can see clearly before driving or using machines.
How to take it
Catacrom Eye Drops Catacrom Eye Drops are for use in the eye only. Usual Dose Catacrom Eye Drops are suitable for use in adults, the elderly and children. The drops are in single-dose units. Put one or two drops into each eye four times a day, or as directed by your doctor. Avoid touching the eye with the dropper. Read the instructions on the carton carefully. Wash your hands before and after you use these eye drops.
Steps for Using Catacrom Eye Drops 1. Break off one unit dose container from the strip.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. (Figure 1)
Possible side effects
not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system: United Kingdom Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
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.
How to store it
Catacrom Eye Drops
(Figure 2)
Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Once opened, use the unit dose straight away and then throw away the container. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton, sachet and unit dose after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package. After opening the sachet: use contents within 28 days.
2. Open the unit dose container by bending/twisting the tab (Figure 1). 3. Tilt your head backwards. 4. Gently pull down the lower lid to form a pouch (Figure 2). 5. With the unit dose in the other hand, put one drop inside the pouch by gently squeezing the container. Try not to touch anything with the tip (Figure 3). 6. Close the eye for about 30 seconds and at the same time gently press a finger against the corner of the closed eye, nearest the nose. (Figure 4).
(Figure 3)
(Figure 4)
7. Some drops may roll down your face. This is normal. The eye holds less than one drop. Wipe away the excess with a clean tissue. If the drop of medication is not retained for any reason, another drop should be dropped into the eye pouch. 8. If you use more than one type of eye drop, wait five minutes before putting in the next one. This prevents the first drop from being washed away. 9. Repeat instructions 3-8 for the other eye. If you use more Catacrom Eye Drops than you should There are no known effects of taking too much of this medicine. If you are concerned, please speak to your doctor or pharmacist. If you forget to use Catacrom Eye Drops If you forget to use this medicine, use it as soon as you remember.
4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Some people find that their eyes can become irritated or sting for a short while after taking these eye drops. If the stinging lasts a long time, or is severe, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Rarely, other symptoms of eye irritation have occurred. If any of the side effects become serious, or if you notice any
Contents of the pack and other information
What Catacrom Eye Drops contain
- The active substance is sodium cromoglicate.
- The other ingredients are purified water and sodium chloride.
- Each individual single-dose unit contains 6 mg of sodium cromoglicate in 0.3 ml of solution. What Catacrom Eye Drops look like and contents of the pack Each unit dose container holds 0.3 ml Catacrom 2% Eye Drops without preservative and there are 10, 12, 18, 20, 24, 30 or 90 single-dose units in each carton. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Catacrom Eye Drops are manufactured by: Laboratoire Unither, Espace Industriel Nord, 151 rue André Durouchez – CS 28028, 80084 Amiens Cedex 2, France. or Laboratoire Unither, ZI de la Guérie 50211 Coutances Cedex, France. Marketing Authorisation Holder: Rayner Pharmaceuticals Limited, 10 Dominion Way, Worthing, West Sussex, BN14 8AQ, United Kingdom. CATACROM is a registered trade mark. This leaflet was last revised in April 2020 For package information leaflet in large font please go to www.xpil.medicines.org.uk.
For large print, audio or Braille versions contact the RNIB on the Medicine Leaflet Line 0800 198 5000.
Non-printed information
- Ref: PCS-PIL-2002
- Issue: 14
- Date: 12/06/2020
- PIL dimensions: 140 x 180 mm
- PIL border: 10 mm
- FONT: Titles – Gill Sans Bold: 8 pt
- FONT: Body – Gill Sans: 6.5 pt
Frequently asked questions about Catacrom Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Preservative Free Unit Dose Eye Drops
How do I take Catacrom Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Preservative Free Unit Dose Eye Drops?
Catacrom Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Preservative Free Unit Dose Eye Drops 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 Catacrom Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Preservative Free Unit Dose Eye Drops?
The active substance in Catacrom Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Preservative Free Unit Dose Eye Drops is sodium cromoglicate.
Are there equivalent medicines to Catacrom Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Preservative Free Unit Dose Eye Drops?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Allercrom 2% w/v Eye Drops, Allergy Relief 2% w/v eye drops, Solution, Aspire Hayfever Relief 2% w/v Eye Drops, solution. 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 Catacrom Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Preservative Free Unit Dose Eye Drops, 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 Catacrom Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Preservative Free Unit Dose Eye Drops 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
Catacrom 2% w/v eye drops are indicated for the relief and treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Topical ophthalmic use.
Adults, children and the elderly: one or two drops into each eye four times per day, or as directed by the doctor.
4.3. Contraindications
Known hypersensitivity to sodium cromoglicate.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Catacrom 2% w/v eye drops are sterile, preservative free and presented in a single-use container which should be discarded after use.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None known.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Catacrom 2% w/v eye drops should be used with caution in pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Extensive experience with sodium cromoglicate suggests that there are no adverse effects on foetal development. Nevertheless, it should only be used in pregnancy where there is a clinical need.
It is not known whether sodium cromoglicate is excreted in breast milk; however, on the basis of its physicochemical properties, it is considered unlikely. There is no evidence that 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, transient blurring of vision may occur on instillation. Do not drive or operate machinery until normal vision is restored.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Eye Disorders
On instillation, transient stinging or burning may occur. Rarely, other symptoms of local irritation have been reported.
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
Medical supervision only should be necessary.
If the solution is accidentally ingested, as sodium cromoglicate is only poorly absorbed, no action other than medical supervision should be necessary.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Catacrom Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Preservative Free Unit Dose Eye Drops. 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
- Allergy Relief 2% w/v eye drops, Solution
- Aspire Hayfever Relief 2% w/v Eye Drops, solution
- 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