Medications and Drugs
GENERIC NAME: mometasone furoate nasal inhaler/spray
BRAND NAME: Nasonex
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Mometasone furoate is a synthetic (man-made)
steroid hormone in the glucocorticoid family of steroid hormones that is used for the treatment of nasal allergy.
The naturally occurring glucocorticoid hormone is
cortisol or hydrocortisone which is produced in the adrenal
glands. Glucocorticoid hormones are potent reducers of inflammation (anti-inflammatory).
When used as a nasal inhaler or spray, medications go directly to the
inner lining of the nose, and very little is absorbed into the body.
GENERIC AVAILABLE: no
PRESCRIPTION: yes
PREPARATIONS: Aerosol or spray
unit (50 mcg per actuation), regular or scent-free.
STORAGE: Mometasone furoate should be kept at room temperature,
4-30°C (39-86°F). It should be shaken well before each use.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Mometasone furoate is used for control
of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, an inflammation of the nose in which the
inner lining of the nose swells and releases fluid (mucus).
DOSING: Mometasone furoate generally is given as two sprays in
each nostril once daily in adults and children 12 years of age and older.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: No drug interactions have been described with
nasal mometasone furoate.
PREGNANCY: There does not appear to be any increased risk of
malformation in children born to mothers exposed to intranasal
corticosteroids during pregnancy. There is no dependency and no symptoms upon discontinuation of mometasone furoate as there are with other corticosteroids.
NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known
if mometasone furoate is secreted in breast milk. Other medications in this class are indeed
secreted into breast milk. It is not known whether the small amounts that
may appear in breast milk have an effect on the infant.
SIDE EFFECTS: The most
commonly noted side effects associated with nasal mometasone furoate are nasal
irritation, sneezing, and, occasionally, bleeding from the nose.
Reference: FDA Prescribing Information
Last Editorial Review: 6/6/1999 5:46:00 PM
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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