Cromolyn Sodium Coupons & Prices

Looking for a cromolyn sodium coupon? Cromolyn sodium is an inexpensive generic mast cell stabilizer, sold under brand names such as Gastrocrom (oral concentrate), NasalCrom (an over-the-counter nasal spray), and Crolom/Opticrom (eye drops). Because it is already a low-cost generic, you often do not need insurance to afford it, but the cash price still varies widely from one pharmacy to the next. Enter your ZIP above to compare cromolyn sodium prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies and use a free Rx.com discount card to see today's lowest price near you.

What is cromolyn sodium and how does it work?

Cromolyn sodium (also called cromoglicic acid or sodium cromoglicate) is a mast cell stabilizer. It works by preventing mast cells from releasing histamine and other inflammatory mediators that trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. It is a preventive, or prophylactic, medicine, not a rescue treatment, so it must be taken on a regular schedule to keep working and does not relieve a symptom that is already happening.

The medicine comes in several formulations, each FDA-approved for different uses: the oral concentrate (Gastrocrom) is used for systemic mastocytosis to relieve symptoms such as diarrhea, flushing, abdominal pain, nausea, headache, and itching or hives; the inhalation solution is used to help prevent asthma attacks and exercise- or allergen-induced bronchospasm; the nasal spray (NasalCrom, sold over the counter) helps prevent and relieve hay fever symptoms; and the ophthalmic solution treats allergic conjunctivitis. Talk with your provider or pharmacist about which form is right for your condition.

How much does cromolyn sodium cost without insurance?

Cromolyn sodium is available as an FDA-approved generic, which keeps its cash price relatively low compared with many brand-name allergy and asthma medicines. Even so, the price for the same formulation can differ a lot between pharmacies, which is exactly why comparing before you fill matters. There is no manufacturer savings card for cromolyn sodium.

Rx.com compares cromolyn sodium prices across more than 60,000 U.S. pharmacies so you can find the lowest cash price near you, with or without insurance. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price and print or show a free Rx.com discount card at the pharmacy counter. Note that the over-the-counter NasalCrom nasal spray can also be bought off the shelf without a prescription.

Cromolyn sodium alternatives and related allergy medicines

Depending on your symptoms, your provider may consider other preventive or allergy medicines. For nasal allergy symptoms, the same active ingredient is sold over the counter as NasalCrom nasal spray. Other commonly used allergy and asthma medicines include montelukast (a leukotriene blocker), the antihistamine nasal spray azelastine, the antihistamine eye/oral drug ketotifen, the steroid nasal spray fluticasone, and the oral antihistamine cetirizine.

These medicines work in different ways and are not interchangeable, so your provider or pharmacist can help you choose. You can compare the cash price of any of these on Rx.com to see which fits your budget.

Safety and side effects

Cromolyn sodium has no boxed warning. Because it is preventive, it should not be used to treat an acute asthma attack or status asthmaticus, as it does not relieve active bronchospasm. It needs regular scheduled dosing to work, and the full benefit can take about 2 to 4 weeks to appear. If you and your provider decide to reduce or stop it for asthma or mastocytosis, taper it gradually rather than stopping abruptly.

The most common side effects depend on the form: headache and diarrhea with the oral concentrate; throat irritation, cough, or wheezing with the inhaled form; and nasal stinging or sneezing with the nasal spray. Rare hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, angioedema, and laryngeal edema, have been reported, so get medical help right away for trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat. Use caution with the oral form if you have liver or kidney problems. This is general information, not medical advice, so check with your provider or pharmacist about your specific situation.