Nasonex

Brand Name

Nasonex

Common Name

mometasone nasal spray

In this drug factsheet:

• How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
• How should I use this medication?
• What form(s) does this medication come in?
• Who should NOT take this medication?
• What side effects are possible with this medication?
• Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
• What other drugs could interact with this medication?

How does this medication work? What will it do for me?

Mometasone belongs to a family of medications called corticosteroids. It is used to treat seasonal or perennial (year-round) allergic rhinitis in children 3 to 11 years of age. It is also used to treat acute sinusitis in adults and children 12 years of age and older. Mometasone nasal spray can also treat nasal polyps in adults 18 years of age and older.

Corticosteroid nasal sprays such as mometasone help to reduce swelling and inflammation in the nasal passages. This helps to relieve symptoms associated with allergies (stuffy nose, runny nose, itching, and sneezing), sinusitis (stuffy nose), and nasal polyps (runny nose and stuffy nose). For most people, mometasone usually starts to work within 12 to 48 hours of the first dose.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are using this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

How should I use this medication?

Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis: The usual recommended dose for children 3 to 11 years old to treat seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis is 1 spray into each nostril once daily.

Acute sinusitis: The usual recommended dose for children 12 years of age and older and adults is 2 sprays into each nostril twice daily. If this does not control the symptoms, your doctor may recommend a dose of 4 sprays into each nostril twice daily. If your symptoms do not improve, contact your doctor.

Nasal polyps: The usual recommended dose for adults 18 years and older is 2 sprays into each nostril twice daily. Once your symptoms are under control, your doctor may recommend that you reduce your dose to 2 sprays into each nostril once daily for the rest of your treatment.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without talking to your doctor.

For this medication to be effective it is very important that you use it daily on a regular basis and exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

If you miss a dose of this medication within one hour or so, use it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until later, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not administer a double dose to make up for a missed dose. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Shake the bottle well before each use and read the instructions carefully.

1. Remove the plastic dust cap.
2. The very first time you use the spray, prime the pump by pressing downward on the shoulders of the applicator, using your forefinger and middle finger while supporting the base of the bottle with your thumb. Press down and release the pump 10 times or until a fine spray appears. The pump is now ready to use. The pump may be stored unused for up to 2 weeks without repriming. If unused for more than 2 weeks, prime the pump again until a fine spray appears.
3. Gently blow your nose to clear your nostrils.
4. Close one nostril using your finger. Tilt your head forward slightly and, keeping the bottle upright, carefully insert the nasal applicator into the open nostril.
5. For each spray, press firmly downward once on the shoulders of the applicator with your forefinger and middle finger while supporting the base of the bottle with your thumb. Spray while breathing gently inward through the nostril with your mouth closed.
6. Breathe out through your mouth.
7. Repeat in the other nostril.
8. Replace the plastic dust cap after each use.

To clean, remove the plastic dust cap and pull gently up on the white applicator so it comes free. Wash the white applicator and dust cap in cold water, dry, and then replace the applicator and dust cap.

If you are not sure how to use the medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light, and keep it out of the reach of children. Do not freeze it.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

What form(s) does this medication come in?

Each actuation delivers approximately 100 mg of mometasone furoate suspension, containing mometasone furoate monohydrate equivalent to 50 µg of mometasone furoate. Nonmedicinal ingredients: benzalkonium chloride, citric acid, dispersible cellulose BP 65 cps (carboxymethylcellulose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose), glycerol, polysorbate 80, purified water, and sodium citrate dihydrate.

Who should NOT take this medication?

Do not use this medication if you:

• are allergic to mometasone or any ingredients of the medication
• have an active or dormant tuberculosis infection of the lungs
• have an untreated fungal, bacterial, or viral infection
• have herpes simplex infection of the eye

What side effects are possible with this medication?

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who uses this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people using this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• altered sense of taste or smell
• burning or irritation inside the nose
• dizziness
• dry eyes
• dry mouth
• headache
• hoarseness
• increased production of tears
• nosebleed
• sneezing
• sore throat
• increased thirst

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• constipation
• diarrhea
• earache
• eye inflammation, infection, or pain
• bloody mucus or persistent nosebleeds
• increased frequency of infection; cold or flu-like symptoms; swollen lymph nodes, fever
• increased blood pressure
• loss of voice
• muscle or joint pain
• nasal septum perforation (small holes in the wall between the nostrils)
• ringing in the ears
• sores or ulcers inside the nose
• stomach pain
• tongue or tooth disorders
• tremor
• vision changes

Stop using the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• chest pain
• irregular or fast heartbeat
• symptoms of an allergic reaction (e.g., shortness of breath, trouble breathing, chest tightness, wheezing, or swelling of the mouth or throat)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Growth in adolescents and children: Corticosteroids may impair the growth of adolescents and children. Mometasone did not show any signs of growth suppression in children during clinical trials. Your doctor will monitor for this. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

Infections: Corticosteroids such as mometasone nasal spray may worsen existing infections, mask the signs of infection, and cause new infections. If you use this medication for several months or longer, your doctor will monitor you periodically for signs of infection.

If you have not had chicken pox or measles or have not been vaccinated against these infections, take special care to avoid exposure to them.

If your symptoms worsen or you develop a fever while using this medication, contact your doctor.

Other corticosteroid medications: If you have been taking oral corticosteroids and are starting mometasone, your doctor should monitor your condition carefully. Changing from the oral form to the nasal spray can cause symptoms such as tiredness, aches, pains, and depression. Tell your doctor if you have used or are using other corticosteroids. Your doctor will monitor you while you are taking this medication.

Vision problems: Corticosteroids such as mometasone nasal spray may cause glaucoma or cataracts. Report any vision changes to your doctor immediately. If you have glaucoma or cataracts, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Wound healing: Corticosteroids such as mometasone nasal spray can impair the ability of wounds to heal. If you have ulcers in your nose, have had recent nasal surgery, or have had recent nasal trauma, you should wait until wounds have completely healed before using this medication.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if mometasone passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: Mometasone nasal spray can be used for children 3 to 11 years old to treat allergic rhinitis, and for children 12 years and older for acute sinusitis. For the treatment of nasal polyps, the safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

There may be an interaction between mometasone nasal spray and any of the following:

• "azole" antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole)
• ceritinib
• cobicistat
• other corticosteroid medications (e.g., prednisone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone)
• esketamine
• HIV protease inhibitors (atazanavir, darunavir, lopinavir, ritonavir)
• idelalisib
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin)
• mifepristone
• nirmatrelvir
• other nasal sprays

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Nasonex