With the help of vision, a person receives more than 90% of all information. Every second our eye perceives, and the brain recognizes thousands of images, but sighted people rarely think about it. But nevertheless, one of the tasks of doctors is to convey to patients how important it is to protect their body from any, even minimal, pathology, and therefore this amount of drugs was invented from almost all diseases. In this article you can find information on the drug "Lecrolin" (eye drops). Instructions, price, analogues, method of application - all this you will find in individual paragraphs.
Mechanism of action
The active substance in the above preparation is sodium cromoglycate, i.e. a salt of cromoglicic acid. On its basis, pharmacologists have created many drugs that have primarily a membrane-stabilizing property that causes anti-allergenic and anti-asthmatic effects. The fact is that when a stimulus enters the human body in any way (airborne, contact, sexual, food, etc.), a local and then a systemic response develops, caused by the immune system and its cells. One of them are basophils, which, when entering the tissue space, acquire the name "obese". They are directly affected by the drug "Lecrolin" (eye drops).
Pathogenesis
This is necessary because inside these cells there are many granules with biologically active substances: histamine, prostaglandins, interleukins, chemotactic and tumor necrosis factor. Therefore, when basophils enter the immune response, they degranulate, and through the membrane all these inflammatory mediators begin to stand out, attracting other immunocompetent cells. And Lecrolin (eye drops), whose instructions briefly contain all this information, stops the above processes, stabilizing mast cells and deactivating them. Thus, he steadily relieves inflammation even before the most turbulent phase, when migration of other cells to the outbreak already occurs, which means that the disease stops easier and faster.
Other uses of cromoglicic acid
Since this active substance has such a pronounced anti-allergic effect, and this occurs even in the first stages of the reaction, it is also used in other drugs. Therefore, treatment according to the whole scheme is possible, that is, by combining several drugs to achieve an early remission. So, with pollinosis, the most common manifestations are allergic conjunctivitis and keratitis, in which, by the way, Lecrolin drops are used. Reviews about him in the treatment of this pathology are positive even from those patients who use it periodically for quite a long time. Another common manifestation of an allergic reaction to plants is rhinitis, it is better for him to use a nasal spray with cromoglicic acid as an active substance. It exists in inhaled form, which is widely used for the treatment of bronchial asthma. But there are also capsules for the treatment of food allergies.
Basic drug data
In addition to cromoglycic acid in a dosage of 20 mg, the composition of this medicine includes water for injection, benzalkonium chloride, boric acid and disodium edetate. The selection of such a combination is necessary to maximize the effectiveness of the drug and achieve a therapeutic effect with a minimum of side effects. “Lecrolin” (eye drops), the instructions of which necessarily contain detailed information about this medicine, are available in the form of dropper bottles (10 ml) or tubes (0.25 ml) so that it is convenient to use. Of course, this is an absolutely sterile product that has a specific shelf life and storage conditions. Therefore, if the course of treatment prescribed by a doctor is not so long, it is better to purchase a tube of small volume, since it is undesirable to use the drug after it has been stored for a long time at home. In appearance, the drug “Lecrolin” - eye drops - is a clear solution without suspensions and impurities, but may also have a slightly yellowish tint.
Analogs
Of course, this drug is not the only one in which cromoglicic acid is the active substance. The following preparations were also created on its basis: the English "Khai Krom", the Romanian "Krom-allerg", the German "Allergo-Komod" and "Kromoglin", as well as the Indian "Ifiral". All of them are officially registered and have differences in price and minimal difference in efficiency. However, the drug “Lecrolin”, eye drops, was widely used in the first place. Reviews about it are generally positive, especially when it comes to preventive use. In therapeutic matters, it may be slightly inferior to foreign drugs, but not significantly. Therefore, when choosing a drug should be guided only by their own preferences and financial capabilities.
When is this drug needed?
Since the main effect of the drug “Lecrolin” is antiallergic, it is indicated for various diseases of the organ of vision of this particular etiology. These include conjunctivitis, keratitis or keratoconjunctivitis, as well as slight irritation of the mucous membrane of the eyes caused by some allergenic factor: occupational hazards (dustiness and gas contamination of the room, heavy industry, chemical products), decorative cosmetics, environmental factors, plant pollen, animal hair, as well as drugs used in ophthalmology, but to which this patient has intolerance.
In which cases the drug can not be taken
Are there any contraindications to the use of Lecrolin (eye drops)? The instruction, which is mandatory in the package with the drug, also reports that intolerance is not more likely to cromoglicic acid, but to auxiliary components of the drug. For example, it may be benzalkonium chloride or disodium edetate. Therefore, if you notice an inadequate reaction to the instillation of the drug “Lecrolin”, you must immediately stop feeding it and, preferably, rinse your eyes with simple drops with sterile water or take other anti-allergic drugs. The reinsurance method is to block the nasolacrimal canal by pressing the index finger to the place of its projection, this will interfere with the systemic exposure to the allergen. In addition, it is forbidden to use it in children under 4 years old, and with caution - in pregnant and lactating women.
Method and duration of application of drops, side effects
Drops for eyes “Lecrolin”, like many ophthalmic preparations in solutions, require instillation in each conjunctival sac 1-2 drops 3-4 times a day, however, the doctor determines the most accurate dosage. In a therapeutic dose, this drug should be used only until the signs of inflammation of the membranes of the eyes disappear completely. If disease prevention in the offseason is necessary, then it can be continued in a lower dose. Usually no side effects from this drug are noted, and it is well tolerated. However, at the first admission, the patient may feel a slight burning sensation in the eyes, local irritation or blurred vision, which passes extremely quickly. For this reason, it should be used with extreme caution by patients driving a vehicle. Or it is worth waiting for the cessation of the above phenomena and only then get behind the wheel.
Application features
It is also important to know how Lekrolin, eye drops, interacts with other drugs. Its instruction indicates only glucocorticosteroids, with concomitant use with which it can reduce the effectiveness of the latter. If the patient wears contact lenses, then before installing the Lecrolin preparation, they should be removed and worn at least 15 minutes after the procedure, this is due to the destructive effect of sodium benzalkonium on them. It is also important to remember that when instilling the product, do not touch the tip of the pipette or vial of the membranes of the eye, and after use it should be tightly twisted. A medicine should be used within a month after opening the bottle.