GENERIC NAME: mometasone
BRAND NAME: Elocon
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Mometasone is a synthetic
glucocorticoid that is used topically on the skin. (The
naturally-occurring glucocorticoid is cortisol or
hydrocortisone which is
produced by the adrenal gland.) Glucocorticoids have potent
anti-inflammatory actions and also suppress the immune response.
Mometasone was approved by the FDA in 1987.
PRESCRIPTION: yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: no
PREPARATIONS: Ointment, cream, and lotion, all in a 0.1%
concentration.
STORAGE: All preparations should be kept between 2 ° and 30°C
(36-86°F). Lotion should be shaken before each use.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Mometasone is used for the relief of
itching and
inflammation associated with a wide variety of skin conditions.
DOSING: A thin strip of mometasone cream or ointment or
a few
drops of the lotion are applied to the affected area two to
four times
daily. The lotion should be massaged gently into the skin until
it
disappears.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: There are no known drug interactions
with
topical mometasone.
PREGNANCY: When glucocorticoids are given systemically
(orally,
intramuscularly or intravenously) to pregnant animals, fetal
abnormalities
occur. In fact, fetal abnormalities have been noted when potent
glucocorticoids are applied to the skin of pregnant animals.
Mometasone
specifically has not been studied in animals, and there is no
data on the
use of mometasone in pregnant women. Following application to
the skin, a
small amount of betamethasone dipropionate, another synthetic
glucocorticoid, is absorbed into the blood and is distributed
systemically
to the rest of the body. The use of mometasone during pregnancy,
therefore, should be carefully considered with the potential
risks weighed
against the possible benefit.
NURSING MOTHERS: It is not
known if mometasone is secreted in breast milk.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most commonly noted side effects
associated
with mometasone are burning at the area of application, itching,
irritation, or dryness. All of these are quite unusual,
however.
Absorption of potent glucocorticoids from the skin into the
body can
lead to an increased glucose concentration in blood (especially
worrisome
in diabetics) and symptoms or signs of glucocorticoid excess
(weight gain,
redistribution of fat to the face, trunk and back, etc).
Topical application of glucocorticoids may suppress the body's
own
production of cortisol by the adrenal glands. This is
especially true for
highly potent products. Mometasone is considered an
intermediate potency
glucocorticoid and would be less likely to have this effect
than the high
potency products.
Last Editorial Review: 12/31/1997
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