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.
Eycrom 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 Eycrom 2% w/v eye drops, solution contains a medicine called sodium cromoglicate which 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. Eycrom is used for the prevention, relief and treatment of eye allergies, including:
- Short and long term allergic conjunctivitis (inflammation of parts of the eye).
- More severe cases of conjunctivitis ('vernal keratoconjunctivitis'). Signs include bumps inside the upper eyelid, sensitivity to light and severe itching. Eycrom is a sterile solution that does not contain a preservative.
What you need to know before you take it
e Eycrom Do not use Eycrom
- If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to sodium cromoglicate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). 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 these eye drops. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Eycrom. If you wear contact lenses, follow the instruction for contact lens wearers in section 3. If you have a history of contact hypersensitivity to silver, you should not use this product. Children and adolescents Eycrom can be used in children and adolescents. In children, caregiver supervision and/or assistance may be required. Other medicines and Eycrom 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.
3. How to use Eycrom Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The recommended dose is one or two drops in each eye four times a day, or as indicated by your doctor. If you feel the effect of your medicine is too weak or too strong, do not change the dose yourself, ask your doctor.
How to take it
this medicine Before instillation of the eye drops:
- Wash your hands before opening the bottle.
- Do not use this medicine if you notice that the tamper-proof seal on the bottle neck is broken before you first use it.
- At the first use, after cap removal, without positioning the eyedropper above the eye, slowly squeeze the bottle to deliver one drop in the air to get used to the pressure and time required to deliver one drop. In case of difficulties of delivering one drop at a time, this step might be repeated.
- Choose the position that you find most comfortable for the instillation of the drops (you can sit down, lie on your back, or stand in front of a mirror). Instillation: 1. Hold the bottle directly below the cap and turn the cap to open the bottle. Do not touch anything with the tip of the bottle to avoid contamination of the solution.
2. Tilt your head backwards and hold the bottle above your eye. 3. Pull the lower eyelid down and look up. Squeeze the bottle gently in the middle and let a drop fall into your eye. Please note that there might be a few seconds delay between squeezing and the drop coming out. Do not squeeze too hard. If a drop misses your eye, try again. If you are not sure how to administer your medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Blink a few times so that the drop spreads over the eye.
5. Repeat the instructions 2. – 4. to deliver a drop into the other eye if needed.
6. After use and prior to recapping, the bottle should be shaken once in a downwards direction, without touching the dropper tip, in order to remove any residual liquid on the tip. This is necessary in order to ensure delivery of subsequent drops.
7. After you have used all doses there will be some Eycrom left in the bottle. You should not be concerned since an extra amount of Eycrom has been added to account for this. Do not attempt to use the excess medicine remaining in the bottle after you have completed the course of treatment. Do not use the eye drops for longer than 28 days after first opening the bottle. Contact lens wearers As with most topical eye medications, if you wear contact lenses, you should remove them before using Eycrom. After using this medicine, you should wait 15 minutes before putting your contact lenses back in. If you use more Eycrom than you should Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have used the eye drops more frequently than prescribed by your doctor. If you forget to use Eycrom 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 Eycrom Keep using the eye drops until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop using the eye drops just because your eyes feel better. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Stop using Eycrom and see a doctor as soon as possible if:
- The itching, redness or swelling gets worse. You may be allergic to these drops. 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
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
Eycrom Keep this medicine 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. Store below 25°C. Eycrom is a sterile solution that does not contain a preservative. Discard 28 days after opening, even if there is solution remaining. 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 Eycrom contains
- The active substance is sodium cromoglicate. Each 1ml of eye drops contains 20mg of sodium cromoglicate (2% w/v).
- The other ingredients are disodium edetate and water for injections. What Eycrom looks like and contents of the pack Eycrom is a clear colourless to pale yellow aqueous solution in a white opaque plastic bottle containing a white Novelia nozzle that is sealed with a white plastic cap. The following pack sizes are available: 1 x 5ml, 1 x 10ml, 1 x 13.5ml Not all pack sizes may be marketed. 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 11/2020. 1010513-P3.1
Frequently asked questions about Eycrom 2% w/v eye drops, solution
How do I take Eycrom 2% w/v eye drops, solution?
Eycrom 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 Eycrom 2% w/v eye drops, solution?
The active substance in Eycrom 2% w/v eye drops, solution is sodium cromoglicate.
Are there equivalent medicines to Eycrom 2% w/v eye drops, solution?
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 Eycrom 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 Eycrom 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 prophylaxis and symptomatic treatment of acute allergic conjunctivitis, chronic allergic conjunctivitis and vernal keratoconjunctivitis.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
Adults and children: One or two drops to be administered into each eye four times daily or as indicated by the doctor.
In children, caregiver supervision and/or assistance may be required.
Elderly:
There is no current evidence to suggest that dosage alteration is required for elderly patients.
Eycrom 2% w/v Eye Drops, Solution is a sterile solution that does not contain a preservative.
Method of administration
For ocular use
Before instillation of the eye drops
- Users should be instructed to wash their hands before opening the bottle.
- Users should also be instructed to not use this medicine if they notice that the tamper-proof seal on the bottle neck is broken before they first use it.
- When used for the first time, before delivering a drop to the eye, the patient should practise using the dropper bottle by squeezing it slowly to deliver one drop away from the eye.
- When the patient is confident they can deliver one drop at a time, the patient should adopt a position that is the most comfortable for the instillation of the drops (the patient can sit down, lie on their back, or stand in front of a mirror).
Instillation
1. The bottle should be held directly below the cap and the cap should be turned to open the bottle. To avoid contamination of the solution, the tip of the bottle must not touch anything.
2. The patient should tilt their head backwards and hold the bottle above their eye.
3. The patient should pull the lower eyelid down and look up. The bottle should be squeezed gently in the middle and a drop should be allowed to fall into the patient's eye. Please note that there might be a few seconds delay between squeezing and the drop coming out. The bottle must not be squeezed too hard.
Patients should be instructed to seek advice from their doctor, pharmacist or nurse if they are not sure how to administer their medicine.
4. The patient should blink a few times so that the drop spreads over their eye.
5. Instructions 2. – 4. should be repeated for delivery into the other eye, if required. The patient should be clearly instructed if one eye only requires treatment, and if so, which eye is affected.
6. After each use and prior to recapping, the bottle should be shaken once in a downwards direction, without touching the dropper tip, in order to remove any residual liquid on the tip. This is necessary in order to ensure delivery of subsequent drops.
7. At the end of the 28-day in-use shelf life of the medicine, there will be some Eycrom left in the bottle. Using the excess medicine remaining in the bottle after the patient has completed the course of treatment should not be attempted. Patients must not use the eye drops for longer than 28 days after first opening the bottle.
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.
Contact lenses should be removed prior to instillation and may be reinserted 15 minutes following administration.
Patients with a history of contact hypersensitivity to silver should not use this product as dispensed drops may contain traces of silver.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
No interaction studies have been performed.
4.6. Fertility, 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.
Breast-feeding
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.
Fertility
It is not known whether sodium cromoglicate has any effect on fertility.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Eycrom has a minor influence on the 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 (Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store).
4.9. Overdose
No other action other than medical observation should be necessary.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Eycrom 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
- Allergy Relief 2% w/v eye drops, Solution
- Aspire Hayfever Relief 2% w/v Eye Drops, solution
- Catacrom Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Preservative Free Unit Dose Eye Drops
- 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