In the U.S.—

In Canada—

• Anti-inflammatory, steroidal, nasal
• corticosteroid, nasal

Mometasone (moe-MET-a-sone ) belongs to the family of medicines known as corticosteroids (cortisone-like medicines). Corticosteroids belong to the family of medicines called steroids. Mometasone is sprayed into the nose to help relieve the stuffy nose, irritation, and discomfort of hay fever and other allergies.

In Canada, mometasone can also be used along with certain antibiotics to treat sinusitis.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Nasal
• Suspension (nasal spray) (U.S.and Canada )

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For nasal mometasone, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to mometasone or other corticosteroids. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Nasal mometasone has not been studied in pregnant women. However, in animal studies, mometasone, given by injection, was shown to cause birth defects. Also, too much use of corticosteroids during pregnancy may cause other unwanted effects in the infant, such as slower growth and reduced adrenal gland function.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether nasal mometasone passes into breast milk. Although most medications pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients and there is no specific information comparing use of nasal mometasone in children up to 3 years of age with use in other age groups.

Older adults—Although there is no specific information comparing use of nasal corticosteroids in the elderly with use in other age groups, they are not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than they do in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines.

• Cataracts—Long-term use of nasal corticosteroids may cause cataracts
• Glaucoma—Long-term use of nasal corticosteroids may worsen glaucoma by increasing the pressure within the eye

• Herpes simplex (virus) infection of the eye or
• Infections (virus, bacteria, or fungus)—Nasal corticosteroids may cover up the signs of these infections or cause a serious course of infection

• Injury to the nose (recent) or
• Nose surgery (recent) or
• Sores in the nose—Nasal corticosteroids may prevent proper healing of these conditions
• Kidney problems or
• Liver problems—Studies on the effects of nasal mometasone on the kidney or liver have not been done.

• Sensitivity to mometasone or other nasal corticosteroids

• Tuberculosis (active or history of)—Nasal corticosteroids may cover up the signs of this infection or cause it to start up again

This medicine usually comes with patient directions. Read them carefully before using the medicine.

Before using this medicine, clear the nasal passages by blowing your nose. Then, with the nosepiece inserted into the nostril, aim the spray towards the inner corner of the eye.

In order for this medicine to help you, it must be used regularly as ordered by your doctor. This medicine usually begins to work in about 2 days, but up to 2 weeks may pass before you feel its full effects.

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of absorption through the lining of the nose and the chance of unwanted effects.

Check with your doctor before using this medicine for nasal problems other than the one for which it was prescribed, since it should not be used on many bacterial, viral, or fungal nasal infections.

Dosing—

The dose of nasal mometasone will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of nasal mometasone. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For nasal spray dosage form:
  • For allergies:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—2 sprays in each nostril once a day.
    • Children 3 and 11 years of age— 1 spray in each nostril once a day.
    • Children younger than 3 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For sinusitis:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—2 sprays in each nostril twice a day.
    • Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as you remember. However, if you don't remember it until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Avoid close contact with anyone who has chickenpox or measles . This is especially important for children. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have been exposed to chickenpox or measles.

Infants born to mothers receiving corticosteroids should be carefully monitored for hypoadrenalism (light-headedness, loss of appetite, sweating, weakness, and weight loss).

Check with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if your condition gets worse.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• More common
  • Bloody mucus or unexplained nosebleeds;  cold or flu-like symptoms;  increased abdominal pain and cramping during menstrual periods;  muscle or bone pain;  stuffy or runny nose or headache;  viral infections 
  
  

• Less common
  • Chest pain;  cough;  discharge or redness in the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid;  earache;  shortness of breath, troubled breathing, tightness in chest, or wheezing 
  
  

• Rare
  • Sores inside nose;  white patches inside nose or mouth 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• More common
  • Cough;  headache;  sore throat 
  
  

• Less common
  • Diarrhea;  joint or muscle ache or pain ;  nausea;  nasal burning or irritation;  runny or stuffy nose;  sneezing;  stomach upset or discomfort following meals 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.