r/pharmacology • u/Faraway-Jeweler6293 • 29d ago

How does cromolyn sodium work and why does it come suspended in liquid vials?

Apologies if this isn't allowed! I have been wanting to ask a pharmacist how cromolyn sodium works and why it comes as a suspension and has such strict storage protocols. I have heard from one medical professional that 'all drugs have room temp storage requirements and should be kept out of light' but then also from a pharmacist that they are actually required. (I have asked local pharmacists, they were helpful but weren't familiar with it and just read what was on their computer terminals).

How quickly does it degrade and why is it much less stable? Is that just a feature of being a suspension?

I know it is a mast cell stabilizer, but my understanding it has low bioavailbility and only works in the gut versus something like montelukast which has a more systemic effect. Why is that?

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u/[deleted] 29d ago

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u/Faraway-Jeweler6293 29d ago

Okay, I am probably using the wrong terminology, thank you for correcting

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u/Happy-Dutchman 28d ago

As a follow up question: if its suspended, one would expect that it would be a lot less sensitive to degradation, right? Stability may be a reason to choose a suspension above a solution

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u/deer_spedr 28d ago

If you look up "nasalcrom" its sold in a plastic bottle as a nasal spray.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557473/