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Conjunctivitis - allergic - Management
Which topical ocular mast cell stabilizers should I prescribe?
Note: eye drops containing preservatives, particularly benzalkonium chloride, accumulate in soft contact lenses and can cause irritation. Therefore soft contact lenses should not be worn during treatment period.
- Lodoxamide, nedocromil sodium, or sodium cromoglicate is recommended for prophylaxis of allergic conjunctivitis.
- Lodoxamide is licensed for use in adults and children from 4 years of age onwards, nedocromil sodium from 6 years of age onwards, and sodium cromoglicate from 1 year of age onwards.
- Lodoxamide (for adults and children over 4 years of age) and sodium cromoglicate (for adults and children over 6 years of age) can be purchased over the counter for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.
[ABPI Medicines Compendium, 2002b; ABPI Medicines Compendium, 2004a; ABPI Medicines Compendium, 2004b]
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