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.
Opticrom Hayfever 2% w/v Eye Drops, solution (Aspire MAH)
⚠ 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 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.
What you need to know before you take it
E THIS MEDICINE Do not use this medicine
- If you or your child are allergic 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 the 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. Warning and precautions You must be confident that your 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 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 this medicine. If you are not sure if the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine. 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 This medicine may interfere with your ability to drive and use 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 (including the elderly) and Children over 6 years One or two drops, administered into each eye four-times daily. Children under 6 years This medicine should not be used in children under 6 years of age. If you have any question 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
- 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. 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 use more of this medicine than you should Contact your doctor if you use the eye drops more frequently than the recommended dose. 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 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 occur 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
Possible 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 medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions before opening the bottle. 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 Distributor Thornton & Ross Ltd Linthwaite Huddersfield HD7 5QH, UK This leaflet was last revised in September 2023.
Frequently asked questions about Opticrom Hayfever 2% w/v Eye Drops, solution (Aspire MAH)
How do I take Opticrom Hayfever 2% w/v Eye Drops, solution (Aspire MAH)?
Opticrom Hayfever 2% w/v Eye Drops, solution (Aspire MAH) 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 Opticrom Hayfever 2% w/v Eye Drops, solution (Aspire MAH)?
The active substance in Opticrom Hayfever 2% w/v Eye Drops, solution (Aspire MAH) is sodium cromoglicate.
Are there equivalent medicines to Opticrom Hayfever 2% w/v Eye Drops, solution (Aspire MAH)?
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 Opticrom Hayfever 2% w/v Eye Drops, solution (Aspire MAH), 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 Opticrom Hayfever 2% w/v Eye Drops, solution (Aspire MAH) 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
Sodium cromoglicate 2%w/v eye drops should not be used continuously for more than 14 days except on the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.
Ocular use
Adults and Children over 6 years:
One or two drops to be administered into each eye four times daily.
Children under 6 years
There is no relevant indication for use of sodium cromoglicate in children. Sodium cromoglicate is contraindicated in children under 2 years of age.
Elderly
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
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Discard any remaining contents four weeks after opening the bottle.
Sodium cromoglicate eye drops contain benzalkonium chloride.
May cause eye irritation.
Avoid contact with soft contact lenses.
Remove contact lenses prior to application and wait at least 15 minutes before reinsertion.
Known to discolour soft contact lenses.
The carton and patient information leaflet will state:
- The patient should consult a doctor or pharmacist if symptoms do not start to improve within 48 hours
- Hayfever 2% eye drops 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
Fertility:
It is not known whether sodium cromoglicate has any effect on fertility.
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
Sodium cromoglicate may interfere with the ability to drive and use machines.
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
Overdosage is very unlikely. In the event of accidental ingestion, symptomatic treatment is recommended.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Opticrom Hayfever 2% w/v Eye Drops, solution (Aspire MAH). 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
- 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)
- 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