What is Mometasone Furoate: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Apr 1, 2024  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Mometasone Furoate overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Nasonex (nasal spray), Asmanex (inhalant), Sinuvia (sinus implant)

Generic Names:

  • Mometasone furoate

Uses:

  • Relieves symptoms of seasonal allergies or hay fever. Relieves redness, swelling, itching, or skin rash caused by skin problems. Used to treat asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Corticosteroid, topical corticosteroid, respiratory corticosteroid, topical nasal corticosteroid, sinus implant

Forms:

  • Nasal spray, inhalant, aerosol, cream, lotion, ointment, solution, sinus implant

How it’s taken:

  • On the skin, in the nose, inhaled, implanted

What is Mometasone Furoate used for?

Over-the-counter mometasone nasal spray helps relieve symptoms of hay fever and seasonal allergies. Mometasone creams, lotions, ointments, and solution are used to relieve the symptoms of skin conditions. Inhaled mometasone is used as a maintenance treatment for asthma. Mometasone implants treat chronic swelling of the nose and sinuses accompanied by nasal polyps.

What form(s) does Mometasone Furoate come in

  • Nasal spray (OTC)

    • 50 mcg per spray

  • Aerosol

    • 50 mcg/actuation

    • 100 mcg/actuation

    • 200 mcg/actuation

  • Powder inhalant

    • 110 mcg/actuation

    • 220 mcg/actuation

  • Cream

    • 0.1% (1 mg/gram)

  • Lotion

    • 0.1% (1 mg/gram)

  • Ointment

    • 0.1% (1 mg/gram)

  • Solution

    • 0.1% (1 mg/gram)

  • Sinus implant

    • 1350 mcg/implant (90 days of treatment)

What are common Mometasone Furoate doses?

  • For seasonal allergies or hay fever in adults and children 2 years and older: 2 sprays (nasal spray) in each nostril once daily

  • For the maintenance treatment of asthma:

    • In adults and children 12 years and older: 2 oral inhalations (100 mcg or 200 mcg aerosol) twice daily OR 1–2 inhalations (220–440 mcg powder inhalant) once per day in the evening

    • In children 4–12 years and older: 2 oral inhalations (50 mcg aerosol) twice daily OR 1 inhalation (110 mcg powder inhalant) once per day in the evening

  • For the relief of itching and swelling due to skin conditions in adults and children 2 years and older: Apply a thin film of cream, lotion, or ointment, or a few drops of solution over the affected skin once daily

  • For chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in adults: 2 sprays (nasal spray) in each nostril once daily OR one implant inserted into the sinuses by a doctor

Common Mometasone Furoate prescriptions

  • Mometasone Furoate
    17gm of 50mcg/act bottle

  • Mometasone Furoate
    30ml of 0.1% bottle

  • Mometasone Furoate
    60ml of 0.1% bottle

  • Mometasone Furoate
    15gm of 0.1% tube

  • Mometasone Furoate
    45gm of 0.1% tube

  • Mometasone Furoate
    15gm of 0.1% tube of cream

  • Mometasone Furoate
    45gm of 0.1% tube of cream

  • Mometasone Furoate
    15gm of 0.1% tube of ointment

  • Mometasone Furoate
    45gm of 0.1% tube of ointment

How to take Mometasone Furoate

  • How to use mometasone nasal spray:

    • Prime the nasal spray bottle when it’s first used or if you haven’t used it in more than a week.

    • To administer a dose, first shake the bottle well and then remove the cap.

    • Blow your nose.

    • Close one nostril with a finger and insert the nozzle of the spray bottle into the other nostril. Aim the tip away from the middle of the nose.

    • Gently press the spray nozzle twice while sniffing gently.

    • Breathe out through your mouth.

    • Repeat the process with the other nostril.

    • Prescription mometasone nasal spray comes in a metered spray bottle that indicates the number of doses used. Throw away the bottle when the dose meter hits its maximum.

    • Store the bottle at room temperature.

  • How to use mometasone aerosol:

    • Follow all the directions given by your doctor. Do not use more than directed.

    • Use this medicine every day. Do not stop using mometasone aerosol even if you feel better.

    • It may take one or two weeks to notice any benefits.

    • Read the instructions that come with this medicine for details on administering a dose.

    • Prime the HFA inhaler when it’s first used or if you haven’t used it in more than 5 days.

    • To administer a dose, first shake the inhaler for 5–10 seconds.

    • Breathe out as much air as you can.

    • Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips around it.

    • Push the canister top all the way down while breathing in deeply and slowly through your mouth.

    • Hold your breath for 5–10 seconds before you breathe out.

    • If your doctor has prescribed two inhalations for each dose, wait 30 seconds before taking the second dose. 

    • After administering a dose, rinse your mouth with water and spit out the water.

    • Store at room temperature. Do not expose the canister to heat over 120˚ or it may burst.

  • How to use mometasone powder inhalant:

    • Follow all the directions given by your doctor. Do not use more than directed.

    • Use this medicine every day. Do not stop using mometasone inhalant even if you feel better.

    • It may take one or two weeks to notice any benefits.

    • Read the instructions that come with this medicine for details on administering a dose.

    • Twist the cap clockwise to load a dose. 

    • Facing away from the inhaler, breathe out as much air as you can.

    • Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and breathe in as deeply and steadily as you can.

    • Remove the inhaler and hold your breath for 5–10 seconds.

    • If you have been instructed to take two doses at once, wait 30 seconds to take the next dose.

    • After administering a dose, rinse your mouth with water and spit out the water.

    • Throw away the inhaler after 45 days or when the counter reaches “00,” whichever happens first.

    • Store at room temperature in a dry place.

  • How to use mometasone cream, lotion, ointment, or solution:

    • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

    • This medicine is for use only on the skin. Do not use this medicine on the face, underarms, diaper area, or groin area unless your doctor tells you to.

    • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after you use this medicine.

    • Apply a thin layer of the cream, lotion, or ointment, or a few drops of the solution to the affected area.

    • Rub it in gently.

    • Do not cover the treated area with a bandage unless directed by your doctor.

    • Do not use cosmetics or skin care products on the treated skin.

    • Store mometasone topical at room temperature protected from excessive heat.

  • What to do after a mometasone furoate implant:

    • The mometasone furoate is put in place by a healthcare professional.

    • Use saline irrigations or sprays regularly after it’s implanted.

    • As polyps decrease in size and the implant softens, it’s possible to sneeze or blow the implant out of the nose. The doctor will give you instructions on what to do.

What to do if you miss a dose of Mometasone Furoate

  • Take only one dose of mometasone furoate nasal spray each day. If a dose is missed, take it on the day it’s missed. If it’s the next day, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled.

  • Apply only one dose of mometasone furoate topical to the affected skin each day. If a dose is forgotten, apply that dose on the day it’s scheduled. If it’s the next day, skip the missed dose and apply the next dose.

  • Mometasone inhalation is taken twice per day, once in the morning and once in the evening. If a dose is missed, take it when remembered unless it’s almost time for the next dose. If so, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled.

  • Do not take extra doses to make up for a missed dose.

Mometasone Furoate contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. 

  • Do not use mometasone products if you have had an allergic reaction to mometasone or any ingredient in the product.

  • Do not use over-the-counter or prescription mometasone nasal spray if you have sores, unhealed injuries, or recent surgery inside the nose.

  • Mometasone inhalation should never be administered to someone experiencing a severe asthma attack.

Mometasone Furoate warnings

  • Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

  • Your doctor may need to do lab tests regularly to check on the effects of this medicine, especially if treatment lasts for a long time. Keep all appointments.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

  • Before using over-the-counter mometasone nasal spray, first ask a doctor for medical advice if you have:

    • An eye infection

    • A history of glaucoma or cataracts

  • When getting a prescription for topical mometasone, tell your doctor if you have:

    • Any skin infection

  • When getting a prescription for mometasone nasal spray, inhalant, or aerosol, tell your doctor if you have:

    • Liver disease

    • Diabetes

    • A history of cataracts or glaucoma

    • Cushing syndrome

    • Osteoporosis

    • Immune system problems

    • A history of tuberculosis

    • Untreated infections or a herpes infection of the eyes

    • Exposure to chickenpox or measles

    • Any other medical problems or symptoms

  • This medicine may cause the following problems, particularly if it’s overused or used improperly:

    • Adrenal gland problems

    • Cushing syndrome

    • High blood sugar

    • Yeast infections of the mouth or nose

    • Perforation of the nasal septum (nasal spray use)

    • Glaucoma

    • Cataracts

  • Do not use a mometasone inhalant or aerosol to treat an asthma attack. Always have a rescue inhaler available.

  • If you’re prescribed topical mometasone:

    • Never use it to treat a skin problem your doctor has not examined

    • Contact the doctor if symptoms do not improve in 2 weeks

  • If you are using mometasone inhalation, call a doctor if:

    • Breathing problems worsen, rescue inhalers don’t work as well, or you use rescue inhalers more frequently

    • Asthma symptoms don’t improve in two weeks

  • If you have a mometasone implant, immediately call the doctor if you:

    • Experience excessive nosebleeds, pain, headaches, or sinus drips

    • Have a choking feeling or throat irritation

    • Swallow the implant

Mometasone Furoate interactions

  • To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you take before using mometasone.

  • Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

  • Before using any mometasone product, tell your doctor if you’re taking other oral or topical corticosteroids.

  • For mometasone nasal spray, inhalant, aerosol, or implant, tell your doctor if you are taking:

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Mometasone Furoate side effects

Serious side effects

Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect including:

  • Blurred vision or other changes in vision, eye pain

  • Round, puffy face

  • Dark freckles, skin color changes, coldness, weakness, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, weight loss

  • Fever, chills, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, body aches

  • Severe itching, burning, or skin irritation (topical mometasone)

  • Redness, swelling, or pus on the site of application (topical mometasone)

  • Blistering, peeling, or pus on treated skin areas (topical mometasone)

  • White patches in the mouth or nose, burning sensation in the mouth or nose, redness in the mouth or nose (nasal spray or inhalant)

  • Whistling sound when you breathe through your nose (nasal spray)

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Less serious side effects

  • Acne-like skin changes (topical mometasone)

  • Numbness, tingling, or stinging at the application site (topical mometasone)

  • Headache (nasal spray, inhalation)

  • Upper respiratory tract infections (nasal spray, inhalation)

  • Sore throat (nasal spray, inhalation)

  • Nosebleeds (nasal spray)

  • Cough (nasal spray, inhalation)

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