Cromoglicate (INN) (also referred to as cromolyn (USAN) or cromoglycate (former BAN)) is traditionally described as a mast cell stabilizing drug, and is commonly marketed as the sodium salt sodium cromoglicate. This drug prevents the release of chemicals such as histamine from mast cells. It is available as a nasal spray (Nasalcrom®) to treat allergic rhinitis, as an inhaler (Intal®) to treat asthma, as eye drops (Opticrom®, Crolom®, Cromolux(UK))) for allergic conjunctivitis, or in an oral form (Gastrocrom®) to treat mastocytosis).

Although cromoglycate stabilizes mast cells, this mechanism is probably not why it works in asthma. Pharmaceutical companies have produced 20 related compounds that are equally or more potent at stabilising mast cells and none of them have shown any anti-asthmatic effect.

Pharmacologic agents

Cromoglicinsäure | Sodio cromoglicato | Cromoglicato