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Cromolyn (Inhalation) (Spray, Aerosol, Aerosol Powder)

Cromolyn (By breathing)
Cromolyn (KROE-mo-lin) Prevents asthma attacks. Brand Name(s):
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to cromolyn. This medicine is not to be used during an asthma attack.

How to Use This Medicine:
Spray, Aerosol, Powder Under Pressure

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. This medicine is given with either a metered-dose inhaler, a nebulizer, or a device called a Spinhaler®.
  • A metered-dose inhaler fits on the medicine canister and turns the medicine into a fine spray that you breathe in through your mouth and to your lungs. You may be told to use a spacer, which is a tube that is placed between the inhaler and your mouth. Your caregiver will show you how to use your inhaler and the spacer (if needed).
  • A nebulizer turns the medicine into a fine mist that you breathe in through your mouth and to your lungs. Your caregiver will show you how to use your nebulizer.
  • Intal Spincaps® are used with a device called a Spinhaler®. The medicine capsule is placed into the Spinhaler® and this device opens the capsule and loads the powder medicine from the capsule into the air chamber. You then inhale the powder through the mouthpiece.
  • This medicine comes with patient instructions about how to use the inhaler devices. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about how to use the inhaler.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.


Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart, kidney, or liver disease.
  • This medicine will not stop an asthma attack that has already started. Your doctor may prescribe another medicine for you to use in case of an acute asthma attack.
  • If you use any type of corticosteroid medicine to control your asthma, keep using it as ordered by your doctor. This includes corticosteroid medicines that are taken by mouth or inhaled (such as cortisone, prednisone, Azmacort®, Celestone®, Cortone®, Deltasone®, Flovent®, Prelone® Pediapred®, Vanceril®).
  • If any of your asthma medicines do not seem to be working as well as usual, call your doctor right away. Do not change your doses or stop using your medicines without asking your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
  • Sore throat, cough
  • Stuffy, runny nose or nosebleed
  • Worsening of asthma symptoms

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Burning in tongue or throat
  • Drowsiness, headache
  • Nausea, stomach pain
  • Stuffy nose

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088