Intal^® Syncroner

sodium cromoglycate

Intal Syncroner is a metered dose pressurised aerosol with a spacer delivering 112 inhalations each containing 5mg sodium cromoglycate. The inactive ingredients are: sorbitan trioleate, dichlorotetrafluromethane (propellant 114) and dichlorodifluromethane (propellants 12 ).

Manufactured by Fisons plc, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, CW4 8BE or 3M Health Care Ltd, Loughborough LE11 1EP for the Product Licence holder: Fisons plc Pharmaceutical Division, Coleorton Hall, Leicestershire, LE67 8GP

Things to remember about your medicine

The medicine in Intal Syncroner works deep in the air passages of the lungs to help prevent asthma. It helps to reduce the number of your attacks of breathlessness or wheezing.

Before taking your medicine

Tell your doctor if:

you know that you are allergic to this type of medicine or any of the ingredients in it. The ingredients are listed at the start of this leaflet,

you are pregnant, or think you may become pregnant, or are breast feeding a baby

Intal Syncroner will not relieve your symptoms once an attack of wheezing or breathlessness has started. You may have been given a reliever medicine to help with this.

When to take your medicine

Use your Intal Syncroner as your doctor has told you to. Usually this will be 1 or 2 puffs, to be taken 4 times a day.
If you are worried that you might have taken too much, contact your doctor.
If you forget to take a dose, take one puff as you remember. Then go on as before.
Your doctor may suggest you take an extra dose of Intal Syncroner before any activity which may set off an attack, for example exercise.
If you have not used Intal Syncroner before you may need to take it for several days before you start to get better. You may need to take it for several weeks for it to have its best effect. To prevent attacks, you need to take it every day, even when you feel well.

Don't stop your treatment or reduce the dosage without telling your doctor

Full instructions on how to use Intal Syncroner are given overleaf.

After taking your medicine

Some people find their throat feels dry after using Intal Syncroner. Drinking a small glass of water afterwards may be helpful.
As with all other inhaled medicines, this medicine may cause coughing or wheezing, but this is usually mild and does not last long. In extremely rare cases this medicine may make people who are sensitive to it very breathless or give them a bad attack of wheezing or coughing If you get any of these more severe effects, contact your doctor straightaway Your doctor

may decide to stop your treatment with Intal Syncroner.

Tell your doctor if you notice any other unwanted effect not mentioned above.
If your asthma seems to be getting worse, tell your doctor. children.

Looking after your Intal Syncroner

Keep your medicine out of the reach of children.

Your Intal Syncroner should be stored below 30°C, but not in the fridge or bathroom.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date. This is marked on the metal canister label and carton after the letters 'EXP'. Return any unused inhalers to your pharmacist.

Warning: The metal canister is pressurised. Do not puncture or burn it even when empty.

REMEMBER: This medicine is for you only. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give it to someone else.

INTAL, SYNCRONER and FISONS are Registered Trade Marks of Fisons plc.

Date of preparation: October 1995

How to use Intal Syncroner

Remove the mouthpiece cover

Hold the Syncroner as shown and pull it open. Make sure the horizontal arm locks (clicks) into position. Check that the mouthpiece is clean.

Shake the Syncroner well (at least five times). If the Syncroner has not been used for more than 2 days or if you are using it for the first time release one puff into the air.

Holding the Syncroner well away from your mouth, breath out as far as is comfortable. To avoid condensation and blockage of the spray, DO NOT breathe out through the mouthpiece.

Holding the Syncroner as shown, place it in your mouth and close your lips around it.

Start to breathe in SLOWLY and deeply through your mouth, then immediately press the metal canister down firmly whilst continuing to breathe in.

Remove the Syncroner from your mouth and hold your breath for about 10 seconds, or as long as is comfortable, then breathe out slowly.

If you are to take a second puff, wait for about 1 minute before repeating steps 3 to 7 once more.

After use, always close the Syncroner and replace the mouthpiece cover to keep out dust and fluff.

This Syncroner will help you check your inhalation technique. Normally you may notice a small amount of powder on your top lip, BUT if you are not using the

How to check your inhalation

technique

Correct inhalation technique

Incorrect inhalation technique

Syncroner correctly a lot of fine mist will escape as in the photograph. You may check your technique by taking your medicine in front of a mirror or asking a friend or relative to help you.

Adults should supervise the use of Intal Syncroner in small children.

Escaping mist may be from either

pressing the metal canister down before you have started to breathe in, or
pressing the metal canister down after you have finished breathing in, or
not breathing in deeply enough

If a lot of mist has escaped when you take your first puff think carefully about your breathing while you repeat steps 4 to 7 of the instructions.

Cleaning instructions

It is very important to keep the plastic body of the Syncroner clean to prevent the build-up of spare powder. It should be cleaned at least twice a week. No harm will come from washing the plastic body every day.

Remove the metal canister and mouthpiece cover, and put them in a safe place

Wash the plastic body of the Syncroner thoroughly in hand hot water from both ends.
Shake off excess water and leave to dry m a clean warm place for a few hours, before replacing the metal canister and mouthpiece cover

Do not put the metal canister into water.

Do not remove the plastic cover from the metal canister.