Nasonex

Generic Name: mometasone (Nasal route)

moe-MET-a-sone FURE-oh-ate

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Nasonex

Available Dosage Forms:

• Spray

Therapeutic Class: Anti-Inflammatory

Pharmacologic Class: Mometasone

Uses For Nasonex

Mometasone nasal spray is used to treat and prevent the symptoms (e.g., stuffy or runny nose, itching sneezing) of seasonal (short-term) and perennial (year-round) allergic rhinitis (hay fever). This medicine is also used to treat nasal polyps in adults.

Mometasone belongs to the family of medicines known as corticosteroids (cortisone-like medicines). It works by preventing certain cells from releasing substances that cause an allergic reaction.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using Nasonex

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of mometasone nasal spray to treat symptoms of allergic rhinitis in children younger than 2 years of age, to prevent seasonal allergic rhinitis in children younger then 12 years of age, and to treat nasal polyps in children younger than 18 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of mometasone nasal spray in the elderly.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Ketoconazole

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Cataracts, history of or


• Glaucoma, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Herpes simplex (virus) infection of the eye or


• Infections (virus, bacteria, or fungus) or


• Tuberculosis, active or history of—Can reduce the body's ability to fight off these infections.

• Injury to the nose, recent or


• Nose surgery, recent or


• Sores or ulcers in the nose, recent—This medicine may prevent proper healing of these conditions.

• Liver disease—Higher blood levels of mometasone may occur, which increases the risk of side effects.

Proper Use of Nasonex

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of this medicine than your doctor ordered because it may increase the chance of absorption through the lining of the nose and result in unwanted effects.

This medicine usually comes with patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

This medicine is for use only in the nose. Do not get it in your eyes. If it does get in the eyes, rinse them with water right away and call your doctor.

In order for this medicine to help you, it must be used regularly as ordered by your doctor. This medicine usually begins to work in about 2 days, but up to 2 weeks may pass before you feel its full effects.

Check with your doctor before using this medicine for nasal problems other than the one for which it was prescribed, since it should not be used on many bacterial, viral, or fungal nasal infections.

To use:

• Shake the bottle thoroughly before each use.


• When you use the spray for the first time, you must prime the bottle. To do this, pump the bottle 10 times or until a fine spray comes out. Now it is ready to use.


• If you do not use the bottle for 7 days or longer, prime it again by releasing 2 sprays.


• Before using the spray, gently blow your nose to clear the nostrils.


• Sit or stand up straight and tilt your head slightly forward. Insert the tip of the bottle into your right nostril. Spray into your right nostril.


• Breathe gently inward through the nostril and then breathe out through your mouth.


• Spray into your left nostril the same way.


• After using the spray, wipe the tip of the bottle with a clean tissue and put the cap back on.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For nasal dosage form (spray):
  
  • For treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis:
    
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—2 sprays in each nostril once a day. Each spray contains 50 micrograms (mcg) of mometasone.
    
    
    • Children 2 to 11 years of age—1 spray in each nostril once a day.
    
    
    • Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  
  • For prevention of seasonal allergic rhinitis:
    
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—2 sprays in each nostril once a day. Each spray contains 50 micrograms (mcg) of mometasone.
    
    
    • Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  
  • For treatment of nasal polyps:
    
    • Adults—2 sprays in each nostril two times a day or once a day. Each spray contains 50 micrograms (mcg) of mometasone.
    
    
    • Children and teenagers—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Throw away the bottle after you have used 120 sprays from it, even if there is still some medicine left in it. It is best to keep track of the number of sprays used so you will know when it is time to throw the bottle away.

Precautions While Using Nasonex

It is very important that your doctor check you or your child at regular visits for any problems or unwanted effects that may be caused by this medicine.

This medicine may cause fungus infection of the mouth or throat (thrush). Tell your doctor right away if you have white patches in the mouth or throat; or pain when eating or swallowing.

This medicine may increase your risk of having problems with your nose. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have bloody mucus; sores inside the nose; or unexplained nosebleeds while you are using this medicine.

If you or your child have difficulty with breathing or wheezing, or any allergic reaction to this medicine, stop using the medicine and check with your doctor as soon as possible.

Avoid close contact with anyone who has chickenpox or measles if you have never had these conditions before. This is especially important for children. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have been exposed to chickenpox or measles.

Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. Talk to your doctor if you or your child have more than one of these symptoms while you are using this medicine: darkening of the skin; diarrhea; dizziness; fainting; loss of appetite; mental depression; nausea; skin rash; unusual tiredness or weakness; or weight loss.

This medicine may cause children to grow more slowly than usual. Talk to your child's doctor if you have any concerns.

If your or your child's symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Nasonex Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Bloody mucus or unexplained nosebleeds


• chills


• cold or flu-like symptoms


• cough or hoarseness


• fever


• headache


• increased abdominal or stomach pain and cramping during menstrual periods


• muscle or bone pain


• stuffy or runny nose

Less common

• Chest pain


• discharge or redness in the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid


• earache


• shortness of breath


• tightness in the chest


• troubled breathing


• wheezing

Rare

• Sores inside the nose


• white patches inside the nose or mouth

Incidence not known

• Difficulty with swallowing


• dizziness


• fast heartbeat


• hives


• itching, puffiness, or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue


• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs


• skin rash


• unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Sore throat

Less common

• Diarrhea


• joint or muscle ache or pain


• nasal burning or irritation


• nausea


• sneezing


• stomach upset or discomfort following meals

Incidence not known

• Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste or smell


• change in taste or smell

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Nasonex side effects (in more detail)

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More Nasonex resources

• Nasonex Side Effects (in more detail)
• Nasonex Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Nasonex Support Group
• 9 Reviews for Nasonex - Add your own review/rating

• Nasonex Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Nasonex Spray MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Nasonex Consumer Overview


• Nasonex Nasal Spray eent Monograph (AHFS DI)

Compare Nasonex with other medications

• Hay Fever
• Nasal Polyps