IDIOSYNCRATIC REACTION TO SODIUM 'CROMOGLYCATE

A child aged 10 years with perennial asthma showed remarkable remission ofsymptoms after I month's therapy with sodiumcromoglycate (DSCG) inhalations, salbutamol (albuterol) and deriphyllin . The latter 2 drugs were discontinued . One month laterthe child developed a generalised urticaria accompanied by an asthmatic attack . The condition responded to bronchodilators andantihistamines.When the child was symptom-free and off all drugs . a challenge test of inhalation of 2ml sodium cromogl ycate (20ml in 2mlaqueons solution) in aerosol rapidl y provoked an asthmatic atta ck. 30 minutes later . he developed a generalised urticarial reactionwhich responded to SC adrenaline (epinephr ine), After preliminary therapy with oral and one 1M injection antihi stamine thechallenge was repeated . No allergic or asthmatic reactions were produced . Six months later he showed a 4 + reaction 20 minutesafter an intradermal injection 0.02ml of I % aqueous solution of sodium cromoglycate. A repeat challenge test of inhaled sodiumcromoglycate in the absence of antihi stam ine cover . produced an urticarial rash and a later asthmatic response . 'It appears thatit took 8 weeks of DSCG treatment to sensitize this patient and from then on the drug acted as an allergen:Menon . M.P.S. and Das, A.K.: Scandinavian Journal of Respiratory Disease 58: 145 (Jun 1977)

INPHARMA 1st October, 1977 p7