Cromolyn Sodium (Intal)

Cromolyn, taken regularly, helps to prevent the onset of asthma episodes by stabilizing the membrane around certain inflammatory cells which cause the bronchospasm and inflammation.  Cromolyn also decreases twitchiness of airways over time.

Cromolyn comes in two forms:  a solution to be used with a compressor and nebulizer for breathing treatments and a metered dose inhaler.  The nebulized form makes it possible to use with all age groups.

Cromolyn is strictly a preventative medication and may be difficult to determine how well it works.  It may take up to four weeks or as little as one week of regular use to notice the effects.  Cromolyn provides no relief during acute asthma, but should be continued regularly unless otherwise directed by your  Asthma & Allergy Center  doctor.

Cromolyn may be used twenty to thirty minutes before exercise or when participating in sports to prevent exercise induced asthma.

Cromolyn sodium is the safest of all asthma medications.  It has very few side effects but the most common ones are cough and change in voice quality (hoarseness).

Cromolyn sodium requires treatments four times per day until asthma symptoms are controlled, then doses may be decreased to twice per day when stable.