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.
Librachrom Hayfever 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 Librachrom Hayfever Relief 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. These symptoms occur usually in the late spring or early summer when pollen from grasses or trees comes into contact with the eyes of people who are sensitive to them. This condition is sometimes called 'hayfever eyes' or by its medical term: seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. Librachrom Hayfever Relief is a sterile solution that does not contain a preservative.
What you need to know before you take it
e this medicine Do not use Librachrom Hayfever Relief
- If you or your child 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.
- If your child is under 6 years of age.
- For other allergic eye symptoms (not caused by hayfever). Other things in everyday life can start allergies causing eye symptoms in certain people. For example, contact with animals including pets, house dust mites, other particles and chemicals. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor. 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 You must be confident that you or your child's irritated eyes are caused by hayfever, or have been previously diagnosed by your doctor to suffer from hayfever. You can be sure allergic eyes are caused by hayfever if:
- Both eyes are affected
- You also have a runny or blocked nose
- Your eyesight is not affected
- You know you suffer from hayfever and your symptoms coincide with the times of year when grass or tree pollen is high. But if you or your child have:
- No nose symptoms
- Only one eye is affected
- Your sight is affected. Or if the eye symptoms:
- occur at the wrong time of year for hayfever
- are likely to be caused by another allergy, e.g. a pet or dust mite allergy. Then you cannot be sure that the condition is due to hayfever and you should see your doctor or pharmacist before you use these drops. If you are not sure if the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Librachrom Hayfever Relief. 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 Librachrom Hayfever Relief can be used in children over 6 years of age and adolescents. In children, caregiver supervision and/or assistance may be required. Other medicines and Librachrom Hayfever Relief 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 Librachrom Hayfever Relief 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 (including the elderly) and Children over 6 years The recommended dose is one or two drops in each eye four times a day. Children under 6 years This medicine should not be used in children under 6 years of age. If you have any questions concerning the use of these drops in a child or are unsure if the child has allergic eyes, you should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist. If your eyes are no better after 2 days of using the eye drops, see your doctor or pharmacist. It is best to use your eye drops regularly every day while high pollen levels are expected, to keep your eye condition controlled. If you find you need to use them continuously for more than 14 days, check with your pharmacist or doctor before continuing.
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 Librachrom Hayfever Relief left in the bottle. You should not be concerned since an extra amount of this medicine has been added. 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 Librachrom Hayfever Relief. After using this medicine, you should wait 15 minutes before putting your contact lenses back in. If you use more Librachrom Hayfever Relief than you should Contact your doctor if you use the eye drops more frequently than the recommended dose. 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 Librachrom Hayfever Relief 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 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 this medicine 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
this medicine 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. This medicine is sterile when you buy it, so you must not keep it for more than 28 days 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% w/v).
- The other ingredients are disodium edetate and water for injections. What this medicine looks like and contents of the pack Librachrom Hayfever Relief 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 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 01/2021. 1010569-P1.4
Frequently asked questions about Librachrom Hayfever Relief 2% w/v eye drops, solution
How do I take Librachrom Hayfever Relief 2% w/v eye drops, solution?
Librachrom Hayfever 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 Librachrom Hayfever Relief 2% w/v eye drops, solution?
The active substance in Librachrom Hayfever Relief 2% w/v eye drops, solution is sodium cromoglicate.
Are there equivalent medicines to Librachrom Hayfever Relief 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 Librachrom Hayfever 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 Librachrom Hayfever 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 the eye symptoms of hayfever.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Librachrom Hayfever Relief 2% w/v eye drops, solution should not be used continuously for more than 14 days except on the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.
Posology
Adults and Children over 6 years: One or two drops to be administered into each eye four times daily.
In children, caregiver supervision and/or assistance may be required.
Elderly
There is no evidence to suggest that dosage alteration is required for elderly patients.
Librachrom Hayfever Relief 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 Librachrom Hayfever Relief 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.
The carton label and patient information leaflet will state:
- The patient should consult a doctor or pharmacist if symptoms do not start to improve within 48 hours
- Librachrom Hayfever Relief 2% w/v eye drops, solution should not be used continuously for more than 14 days except on the advice of a doctor or pharmacist
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
Librachrom Hayfever Relief has a minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
As with all eye drops, instillation of Librachrom Hayfever Relief 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, burning and blurring of vision 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
Overdosage is very unlikely. In the event of accidental ingestion, symptomatic treatment is recommended.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Librachrom Hayfever 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
- 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
- Eycrom 2% w/v eye drops, solution
- Librachrom 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