mometasone furoate

Mometasone furoate is a synthetic (man-made) steroid hormone in the glucocorticoid family of steroid hormones that are used for the treatment of nasal allergies. 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 travel directly to the inner lining of the nose, and very little is absorbed into the body to cause side effects.

The FDA approved mometasone in October 1997.

What brand names are available for mometasone furoate?

Nasonex

Is mometasone furoate available as a generic drug?

Yes

Do I need a prescription for mometasone furoate?

Yes

The most common side effects associated with nasal mometasone furoate are:

• headache,
• nasal irritation,
• sneezing, and, occasionally,
• bleeding from the nose.

Nasal septal perforation, fungal infection of the nose, and disturbances of taste and smell have been reported. Higher doses of mometasone may cause suppression of the body's ability to make its natural glucocorticoid in the adrenal gland. People with suppression of their adrenal glands (which can be diagnosed by a doctor) would need increased amounts of glucocorticoids, probably by the oral or intravenous route, during periods of high physical stress or acute illness when glucocorticoids are particularly important. Intranasal steroids may cause growth suppression, weaken the immune system, and may increase the risk of glaucoma, and cataracts.

Allergic reactions, including swelling of the face, throat, and tongue, as well as rash, hives, and breathing problems may occur.

For treating allergic rhinitis, seasonal allergic rhinitis, or prevention of seasonal allergic rhinitis in patients 12 years of age or older, the dose of mometasone furoate is two sprays in each nostril once daily. The dose for children with allergic rhinitis or seasonal allergic rhinitis is one spray in each nostril once daily. For the treatment of nasal polyps, the dose is two sprays in each nostril once or twice daily.

Since mometasone is excreted primarily by the liver, drugs (for example, ketoconazole [Nizoral, Extina, Xolegel, Kuric]) that reduce the activity of enzymes that break down mometasone may increase the blood levels of mometasone.

Use during pregnancy has not been adequately evaluated.

It is not known if mometasone furoate is secreted in breast milk. Other medications in this class are secreted into breast milk. It is not known whether the small amounts of mometasone furoate that may appear in breast milk have an effect on the infant.

Aerosol or spray unit: 50 mcg/spray

Mometasone furoate should be kept at room temperature, 4 C - 30 C (39 F - 86 F). It should be shaken well before each use.