The image is for illustration purposes only. The brand supplied may vary. Buy Now ℞ GSL Buy Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Eye Drops Pack size: 10ml Sodium Cromoglicate 2% w/v Eye Drops (10ml) help relieve and treat itchy, red, watery eyes caused by hay fever and other allergies (allergic conjunctivitis). The active ingredient is a mast cell stabiliser that stops the release of histamine, the natural substance that triggers allergic reactions in the eyes. This is the same active ingredient found in Opticrom Allergy and Optrex Allergy eye drops. Suitable for adults and children aged 6 and over. Buy Now Dispensed by our GPhC-registered UK pharmacy in Gorleston, Norfolk, after a quick suitability check reviewed by our pharmacy team. Registered & regulated. GPhC . NHS DSP . LegitScript approved Key features Relieves itchy, red and watery eyes caused by allergies Contains sodium cromoglicate 2% — the same active ingredient as Opticrom Allergy and Optrex Allergy Can be used to help prevent symptoms as well as treat them Suitable for adults and children aged 6 and over Handy 10ml bottle Sodium Cromoglicate 2% Eye Drops 10ml Sodium cromoglicate eye drops treat allergic conjunctivitis — red, watery, itchy and puffy eyes caused by hay fever, house dust mites, pet hair and other allergies. The active ingredient belongs to a group of medicines called anti-allergics or mast cell stabilisers. It works by stopping the release of histamine and other natural substances in your eyes that cause allergic reactions, and it reduces how severe your symptoms are. These 10ml drops contain sodium cromoglicate 2% w/v — the same active ingredient as Opticrom Allergy and Optrex Allergy eye drops. Product summary Active ingredient Sodium cromoglicate 2% w/v (20 mg/ml) Type of medicine Anti-allergic (mast cell stabiliser) eye drops Used for Relief, prevention and treatment of allergic conjunctivitis (hay fever eyes and year-round eye allergies) Format Eye drops, solution (contains a preservative) Pack size 10ml bottle Suitable for Adults and children aged 6 and over How to use 1 to 2 drops in each eye, four times a day (or as a pharmacist or doctor advises) Storage Store below 25°C. Use within 4 weeks of first opening the bottle Legal status GSL, Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) How to use sodium cromoglicate eye drops Put 1 to 2 drops in each eye, four times a day. Use them regularly, even on days when your eyes feel better. For the drops to work properly you usually need to use them for about 2 weeks. If your eyes are no better after that, speak to a pharmacist or your doctor. Wash your hands first. Tilt your head back and gently pull down your lower eyelid. Squeeze one drop into the pocket, then blink a few times. Do not let the bottle tip touch your eye or any surface, so the drops stay clean. Do not use the drops for more than 4 weeks after you first open the bottle. After this they may not work as well and could cause an eye infection. Contact lenses These drops contain a preservative (benzalkonium chloride) that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Take your lenses out before using the drops and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in. If you wear lenses often, ask our pharmacist about preservative-free single-dose drops. Side effects Most people have no problems. The drops may sting or feel like they burn for a short time when you put them in, and your vision may be blurred for a moment. Do not drive or use tools or machines until you can see clearly. If irritation is severe or does not settle, stop using the drops and speak to a pharmacist or doctor. Who should not use these drops / cautions Do not use if you are allergic to sodium cromoglicate or any of the other ingredients. Not for children under 2 years. Children under 6 should only use them on a doctor’s advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, use them only if clearly needed — ask a pharmacist or doctor first. If you have dry eyes or a problem with the front of your eye (the cornea), the preservative may cause irritation. Only use for eye irritation you are sure is caused by an allergy. If you’re not sure, ask a pharmacist. When to seek help: Your eyes are no better after 2 weeks of regular use, or symptoms get worse. You have eye pain, changes in your vision, or your eyes become very sensitive to light. You have thick or coloured discharge (this can be a sign of infection). You are not sure your eye irritation is caused by an allergy. You get signs of an allergic reaction to the drops — a rash, swelling of your face, lips or throat, or trouble breathing or swallowing. Get medical help straight away. Who should not use / cautions: Allergy to sodium cromoglicate or any ingredient (including benzalkonium chloride). Children under 2 (not suitable); under 6 only on a doctor’s advice. Soft contact lens wearers — remove lenses, reinsert 15 minutes after use. Dry eyes or a compromised cornea — the preservative may irritate. Pregnancy/breastfeeding — only if clearly needed; ask a pharmacist or doctor. Interactions: safe with most prescription medicines. If you use other eye drops, leave about 5 minutes between them. .oc-rel{–blue:#005eb8;–navy:#0e2540;–cream:#f8f7f2;–border:#e3e0d8;–radius:14px;font-family:inherit;color:var(–navy);box-sizing:border-box;background:var(–cream);border:1px solid var(–border);border-radius:var(–radius);padding:24px 22px} .oc-rel *{box-sizing:border-box} .oc-rel h2{font-size:20px;margin:0 0 14px} .oc-rel .grp{margin:0 0 14px} .oc-rel .grp:last-child{margin:0} .oc-rel .lbl{font-size:12px;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.4px;color:var(–blue);font-weight:700;margin:0 0 6px} .oc-rel p{margin:0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6} .oc-rel a{color:var(–blue);font-weight:600;text-decoration:none} .oc-rel a:hover{text-decoration:underline} Related hay fever treatments For nose & whole-body symptoms — antihistamine tablets Cetirizine 10mg · Loratadine 10mg · Fexofenadine 120mg For a blocked or runny nose Beconase steroid nasal spray Browse Hay fever treatments Information sources NHS. Sodium cromoglicate: an eye-drop medicine to treat allergies. 2022 [accessed 31 July 2026]. Available from: nhs.uk. Electronic Medicines Compendium. Sodium Cromoglicate 2% w/v Eye Drops, Solution — Summary of Product Characteristics. [accessed 31 July 2026]. Available from: medicines.org.uk. Electronic Medicines Compendium. Sodium Cromoglicate 2% w/v Eye Drops — Patient Information Leaflet. [accessed 31 July 2026]. Available from: medicines.org.uk. The Pharmaceutical Journal. Over-the-counter ophthalmic preparations. Royal Pharmaceutical Society [accessed 31 July 2026]. Available from: pharmaceutical-journal.com. Written & reviewed by our qualified team​ Content written by: Ayub Ali, BPharm, MPharm Pharmacy Manager Content written: August 2026 Next review: August 2028 View full profile ↗ Content reviewed by: Obaidullah Zaman, MRCPharm, IP, PGDip, MPharm Superintendent Pharmacist and Independent Prescriber GPhC number: 2083409 Date reviewed: August 2026 View full profile ↗ Frequently asked questions What are sodium cromoglicate eye drops used for? They treat allergic conjunctivitis — red, itchy, watery and puffy eyes caused by hay fever, dust mites, pet hair and other allergies. They stop the release of histamine, which causes the allergic reaction. How long do sodium cromoglicate eye drops take to work? You usually need to use them regularly for about 2 weeks to feel the full benefit. If your eyes are no better after 2 weeks, speak to a pharmacist or your doctor. How often should I use them? Put 1 to 2 drops in each eye, four times a day, or as a pharmacist or doctor tells you. Can I wear contact lenses with these drops? Take soft lenses out before using the drops and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in, because the preservative can build up in the lenses. Ask our pharmacist about preservative-free single-dose drops if you wear lenses a lot. Can children use sodium cromoglicate eye drops? They are suitable for adults and children aged 6 and over. They are not for children under 2. Children under 6 should only use them on a doctor’s advice. Is sodium cromoglicate the same as Opticrom? Yes — Opticrom Allergy and Optrex Allergy contain the same active ingredient, sodium cromoglicate 2% w/v. A generic product works in the same way. How long can I use the drops after opening? Do not use them for more than 4 weeks after you first open the bottle. After that they may not work as well and could cause an eye infection. Can I use them if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding? Use them only if you clearly need to, and ask a pharmacist or doctor first. 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