17.01.5.2 Cromolyn sodium

The other drugs used to prevent asthma are the mast cell stabilisers including cromolyn sodium. The exact mechanism of action of cromolyn sodium is unknown, but it is known that it leads to an inhibition of mediator release from mast cells, and these mediators include the bronchoconstrictors histamine and leukotrienes. Cromolyn sodium is taken by inhalation. As it is poorly absorbed from gastrointestinal tract, side effects are rare with cromolyn sodium. Cromolyn sodium is used to prevent an asthma attack, but is not useful in an asthma attack, when the mediators have been already been released. With regular use, cromolyn sodium can prevent asthma due to antigenic or exercise challenge, and can decrease bronchial hyper-reactivity.