Although no published data exist on the use of cromolyn during lactation, maternal milk levels are likely to be very low and it is expected to be poorly absorbed from the infant's gastrointestinal tract. An expert panel considers use of cromolyn to be acceptable during breastfeeding.[1]

A series of comparative trials on nine popular and pharmacologically distinct regimens for the treatment of hay fever was undertaken in the course of normal general practice in the pollen seasons of 1981-83. One hundred and forty doctors recruited 640 patients to assess the overall usefulness of the treatments on daily diaries. ;Usefulness' was scored on a linear analogue scale weighing up the degree of hay fever symptoms during treatment, side effects and ease of use of the preparation.The regimen with the highest overall usefulness score was beclomethasone diproprionate with sodium cromoglycate eye drops (Beconase and Opticrom). Although the score was not significantly higher than those for methylprednisolone acetate (Depo-Medrone), astemizole (Hismanal) or terfenadine (Triludan), Beconase/Opticrom scored significantly better than mequitazine (Primalan), chlorpheniramine maleate (Piriton), sodium cromoglycate nasal insufflation with xylometazoline/antazoline eye drops (Rynacrom and Otrivine-Antistin) and azatadine maleate (Optimine). Beconase/Opticrom was first in rank order with respect to all the other regimens for the treatment of both mild and severe hay fever. Dimethothiazine (Banistyl), also shown to be useful, has since been withdrawn from prescription.

Fifty-one patients suffering from symptomatic seasonal rhinitis were studied in a double-blind comparative trial using nasal sprays containing 2% sodium cromoglycate (Rynacrom; Fisons) (group 1) or 2% sodium cromoglycate plus 0,2% chlorpheniramine (group 2). Dosage was two sprays into each nostril 4 times a day. There was a marked clinical improvement in both treatment groups although the differences between the two regimens were not significant. In group 2 80% of patients thought the treatment had been effective within 2 days and in group 1 58% of patients also experienced relief of symptoms within 2 days. At final assessment, full or reasonable control was achieved in 22 of 25 patients in group 2 and in 21 of 25 patients in group 1. These differences are not significant. Fourteen patients in group 2 and 6 patients in group 1 reported a burning sensation in the nose when the spray was administered, but this was usually mild and transient. No side-effects from the use of the intranasal antihistamine/sodium cromoglycate spray were recorded.

This study deals with the comparative investigation of the protective effects of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) Rynacrom, Intal and beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol (BDA); Aldecin Beconase on the immediate nasal mucosa response to allergen challenge due to the immediate hypersensitivity (Type I allergy) in 50 patients suffering from allergic rhinitis. DSCG demonstrated distinct protective effects on the immediate nasal mucosa response to allergen challenge in all patients investigated, while BDA failed to demonstrate any protective effects on the immediate nasal mucosa response to allergen challenge in any of the patients studied.

A double-blind trial of Rynacrom (sodium cromoglycate) was conducted on 39 patients with perennial rhinitis. Improvement in nasal blocking was achieved at a statistical significance while sneezing and rhinorrhoea only reached the 0.1 level. During long term follow up, four patients who had previously required polypectomy for recurrent nasal polypi, had their condition resolved and subsequently controlled by Rynacrom therapy of one year's duration. Sixty percent of the original trial population are also being successfully maintained at minimal dosage.