Mast-cell stabilisers (under construction)

Mast cell stabilizers are generally cromone derivative type compounds. Mechanistically, they work in part by blocking calcium channels involved in release of preformed chemical mediators such as histamine from intracellular mast cell granules.

• Lodoxamide is used to treat allergic conjunctivitis (see PubChem CID 44564 for chemical structure and further information).
• Nedocromil sodium can be prescribed in the UK to treat seasonal and perennial conjunctivitis, seasonal keratoconjunctivitis and for prophylaxis of asthma. US production was terminated in 2008. Nedocromil's molecular mechanism of action is not completely understood.
• (Di)sodium cromoglicate (cromoglicic acid, cromoglycate, cromolyn) is used for allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, seasonal keratoconjunctivitis, as a prophylactic agent in asthma, and food allergy.

In asthma, mast cell stabilisers have largely been replaced by the more convenient leukotriene receptor antagonists as the non-corticosteroid treatment of choice.