Cromolyn bronchospasm with

The most frequently reported adverse reactions attributed to cromolyn sodium (on the basis of recurrence following readministration) involve the respiratory tract and include bronchospasm (sometimes severe, associated with a precipitous fall in pulmonary function [FEV- ]), cough, laryngeal edema (rare), nasal congestion... 

Cromolyn sodium and nedocromil sodium attenuate bronchospasm induced by various stimuli, including antigen, exercise, cold dry air, and sulfur dioxide. They suppress inflammatory cell influx and chemotactic activity along with antigen-induced bronchial hyperreactivity. Also inhibited is C-flber sensory nerve activation in animal models, which may in turn suppress reflex-induced bronchospasm. 

Cromolyn sodium and nedocromil sodium are used almost exclusively for the prophylactic treatment of mild to moderate asthma and should not be used for the control of acute bronchospasm. These agents are effective in about 60 to 70% of children and adolescents with asthma. Unfortunately, there is no reliable means to predict which patients will respond. They are less effec-... 

Cromones such as cromolyn sodium (Intal, Nasal-crom) and nedocromil sodium (Tilade) can help prevent bronchospasm in people with asthma. These drugs are not bronchodilators and will not reverse bronchoconstriction during an asthmatic attack. Hence, these agents must be taken prior to the onset of bronchoconstriction, and they must typically be administered prophylactically to prevent asthma attacks that are initiated by specific, well-defined activities (e.g., exercise, exposure to a friend s pet, pollen).107 Likewise, the regular use of these drugs several times each day for several months may decrease airway hyperresponsiveness so that the incidence of asthmatic attacks decreases.102,113... 

The bronchodilatory activity of khellin, a chromone obtained from a plant source Ammi visnaga) used by ancient Egyptians for spasmolytic activity, stimulated the search for related compounds with similar pharmaoological properties (14). From a study of many bischromones, cromolyn sodium was developed and marketed (Fig. 37.5). Although it prevents bronchospasm, it does not reverse antigen-induced bronchiolar constriction. Thus, it and other agents like it that followed prevent the release of histamine and do not block the effects of histamine at its reoeptors. 

PoUock, J. et al.. Relationship of serum theophylline concentration to inhibition of exercise-induced bronchospasm and comparison with cromolyn. Pediatrics, 60(6) 840-844, 1977. 

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