Mometasone

Nasal Symptoms

Mometasone nasal spray is used to treat and prevent symptoms of seasonal and year-round allergies, including sneezing, congestion, and a runny nose. It is also used to treat nasal polyps, which are noncancerous growths on the lining of the nose or sinuses.

Skin Conditions

Topical mometasone is used to relieve the redness, swelling, and itching associated with various skin disorders. It is commonly prescribed for:

• Psoriasis
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Other skin rashes that respond to corticosteroid treatment

Asthma Maintenance

Inhaled mometasone is used as a maintenance treatment to prevent asthma symptoms in adults and children. It works by reducing inflammation in the lungs to help keep airways open. It is important to note that this medication is not a rescue inhaler and will not stop an asthma attack once it has begun.

Mechanism of Action

Mometasone belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids. It works by mimicking the effects of natural hormones produced by the adrenal glands to decrease the body's inflammatory response.

Reducing Inflammation

The medication prevents certain cells in the body from releasing substances that cause inflammation. Depending on how the medication is administered, it works in the following ways:

• Nasal spray: It reduces swelling, itching, and mucus production in the nasal passages by blocking the release of chemicals that trigger allergy symptoms.
• Topical application: It works directly on the skin to reduce redness, swelling, and itching associated with conditions like psoriasis or eczema.
• Inhalation: It reduces inflammation and irritation in the airways of the lungs, which helps prevent asthma symptoms and improves breathing over time.

Mometasone is generally used as a preventive treatment. It does not work immediately to stop an active allergic reaction or asthma attack; instead, it builds up its effect over time to keep symptoms under control.

Common Side Effects

Common side effects depend on the form of mometasone used and may include:

• Headache
• Sore throat or cough
• Nosebleeds or nasal irritation
• Muscle, joint, or back pain
• Painful menstrual periods
• Burning, itching, redness, or dryness at the application site (topical)
• Acne or small red bumps on the skin (topical)

Serious Side Effects

Seek medical attention immediately for any of the following serious symptoms:

• Vision problems, such as blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights
• White patches or sores in the nose, mouth, or throat
• Signs of infection, such as fever, chills, or body aches
• Skin changes, including thinning skin, stretch marks, or extreme irritation
• Severe allergic reactions, including rash, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing

Infection Risk

Mometasone can suppress the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infections. It may worsen existing infections, such as tuberculosis, or various fungal, bacterial, and viral infections. Individuals using this medication should avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles and consult a healthcare provider if exposure occurs.

Local Effects and Healing

Nasal formulations of mometasone may cause nosebleeds, nasal crusting, or fungal infections in the nose. Because corticosteroids can delay wound healing, the nasal spray should not be used by individuals with recent nasal ulcers, surgery, or trauma until the area has fully healed. Topical applications may lead to skin thinning, stretch marks, or irritation.

Hormonal and Systemic Concerns

Prolonged use or high doses can lead to adrenal suppression, a condition where the body does not produce enough natural cortisol. This risk is higher when topical mometasone is applied to large areas of skin or used with airtight (occlusive) dressings. In children, long-term use of corticosteroids may slow growth rates, and height should be monitored regularly.

Vision Changes

The use of corticosteroids is associated with an increased risk of developing glaucoma or cataracts. Individuals experiencing vision changes, such as blurred vision, or those with a history of increased eye pressure should be monitored closely during treatment.

Hypersensitivity

Allergic reactions, including rash, itching, or swelling, can occur. Mometasone is contraindicated in individuals with a known hypersensitivity to mometasone furoate or any of the inactive ingredients in the specific formulation being used.

Pregnancy

There is limited information about the safety of using mometasone during pregnancy. While some studies in animals have shown that corticosteroids can affect fetal development, it is not known if these risks apply to humans using the medication in nasal, inhaled, or topical forms. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about whether the benefits of treatment outweigh the potential risks to the fetus.

Breastfeeding

It is currently unknown if mometasone passes into human breast milk. Because many drugs can be excreted in milk, caution is recommended when using this medication while breastfeeding. If you are using mometasone on your skin, do not apply it to the breasts or surrounding areas to ensure the infant does not come into direct contact with the medication or swallow it during nursing.

Nasal Spray

Mometasone is available as a metered-dose nasal spray. This formulation is used to deliver the medication directly into the nostrils for the treatment of nasal symptoms.

Topical Formulations

For application to the skin, mometasone is available in several different forms, typically in a 0.1% concentration. These include:

• Cream
• Ointment
• Lotion
• Topical solution

Inhalation Formulations

Mometasone is also available as an oral inhalation for the management of respiratory conditions like asthma. It is provided in two main types of delivery systems:

• Metered-dose aerosol inhaler (MDI)
• Dry powder inhaler (DPI)

FDA Approval and Indications

Mometasone is FDA-approved in several forms to treat different conditions. The nasal spray is approved for managing symptoms of seasonal and year-round allergies, as well as treating nasal polyps. The inhalation powder is approved for the long-term maintenance treatment of asthma in adults and children. Topical versions, such as creams and ointments, are approved to treat skin inflammation and itching.

Prescription and OTC Status

The regulatory status of mometasone depends on the delivery method and the condition being treated:

• Over-the-Counter (OTC): Certain nasal spray formulations are available without a prescription for the temporary relief of hay fever or other upper respiratory allergy symptoms.
• Prescription Only: Inhalation products for asthma and topical products for skin conditions require a prescription from a healthcare provider. Higher-strength nasal sprays or those indicated for nasal polyps also remain prescription-only.

Mometasone does not currently have any FDA boxed warnings or specialized Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) programs.

Uses of Mometasone Nasal Spray

Mometasone nasal spray is primarily used to treat the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, such as sneezing, itching, and a runny or congested nose. It is effective for both seasonal allergies and those that occur year-round. Additionally, it is used in adults to treat nasal polyps, which are noncancerous growths on the lining of the nasal passages or sinuses that can cause breathing difficulties.

How to Use

This medication is typically used once or twice daily. For the best results, it should be used consistently at the same time each day. It may take several days of regular use before the full benefits are felt. General instructions for use include:

• Gently blow your nose to clear the nostrils.
• Shake the bottle well before each use.
• If the spray is new or has not been used for a week or more, prime the pump by spraying it into the air until a fine mist appears.
• Tilt your head forward slightly and insert the tip into a nostril, aiming it toward the side of the nose and away from the center wall (septum).
• Breathe in through your nose while pressing the pump to release the spray.

Common Side Effects

While using mometasone nasal spray, some people may experience mild side effects. These can include:

• Headaches
• Occasional nosebleeds
• Sore throat or cough
• Stinging or irritation in the nose
• Upper respiratory tract infections

If you experience severe nosebleeds, vision changes, or signs of an allergic reaction, contact a healthcare professional immediately.

Precautions

Before using this medication, inform your doctor if you have recently had nasal surgery, a nasal injury, or sores in your nose, as corticosteroids can interfere with the healing process. It is also important to mention if you have a history of glaucoma, cataracts, or certain infections, such as tuberculosis or herpes simplex in the eye. Avoid getting the spray in your eyes.