Sodium cromoglicate is a "good candidate" for treating patients who have sickle cell anaemia and "an allergic background", say researchers from Belgium.
The drug was given to two groups of nine children either nasally or by inhalation at doses that were four times lower than those used for asthma treatment (ie, 20mg Spincap or two puffs of a 4 per cent solution).
The authors say that a significant decrease in the percentage of sickle cells in the blood was maintained for 24 hours, regardless of the route of administration. The mechanism of action is not clear (Lancet 2000;356:309).