Mometasone Nasal Spray 50mcg

Key points

• Reduces swelling and irritation in the nose
• Treat symptoms such as nasal congestion
• High success rate

What is mometasone nasal spray?

Mometasone nasal spray is an effective steroid treatment for hay fever and allergies (allergic rhinitis).

This nasal spray can help to prevent and treat the symptoms of hay fever and other allergies, including congestion, sneezing, an itchy and runny nose, and watery, red itching eyes.

Mometasone nasal spray contains the active ingredient mometasone furoate — a potent steroid that is used to reduce inflammation and treat the symptoms this causes. Mometasone furoate belongs in the glucocorticoid (a class of corticosteroids) family of medicines. Because of this, mometasone nasal spray is a prescription-only hay fever treatment.

Mometasone is also sold under the brand names Clarinaze and Nasonex nasal spray in the UK.

What is mometasone nasal spray used for?

Mometasone is used for the prevention and treatment of year-round and seasonal allergy (hay fever) symptoms.

Common allergy symptoms include:

• A blocked nose
• A runny nose
• Sneezing
• Itching
• Congestion

Mometasone nasal spray can also be used to treat nasal polyps, which are growths in the nose. The medicine is suitable for both adults and children.

As well as a nasal spray, mometasone also comes in other forms, such as an inhaler for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and a cream or lotion for skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis.

How does it work?

Mometasone nasal spray suppresses the response of the body’s immune system to allergies, reducing common allergy symptoms such as swelling and itching.

Mometasone nasal spray contains a type of steroid as the active ingredient. When administered, this steroid prevents cells in the nasal passage from releasing chemicals that cause symptoms such as a runny, blocked and itchy nose.

When mometasone furoate is sprayed into the nostrils, it begins to reduce inflammation immediately — decreasing swelling and mucus in the nose.

How to use mometasone nasal spray:

Mometasone nasal spray is easy to use. To use mometasone, you should:

• Blow your nose gently and close one nostril using your finger
• Tilt your head forward and put the nozzle into the open nostril
• Slowly breathing in through the nose, press on the nozzle to spray once into the nostril, before breathing out via the mouth
• Repeat the process for the other nostril

Always use mometasone nasal spray exactly how your doctor or pharmacist has told you. You can always check if you are not sure, or refer to the patient information leaflet that comes with your treatment. Alternately, see our instructions tab.

How long does mometasone nasal spray take to work?

Mometasone does not always take effect immediately — it can take a little time to see the full benefit of this medicine.

Some people may feel relief from symptoms within 12 hours of their first dose. You should feel the full effects of mometasone nasal spray within two or three days. However, it may take up to two weeks for mometasone to be effective (although this is unusual).

It is recommended that people with seasonal allergies begin taking the medication two to four weeks before the season starts. In some cases, your doctor or pharmacist may advise taking another allergy drug along with mometasone until it starts taking effect.

Mometasone instructions

Hay fever and allergic rhinitis

Two sprays to be sprayed into each nostril, reduced to one spray in each nostril once control has been achieved.

Nasal Polyps

Two sprays daily for 5-6 weeks into each nostril, increased to two sprays into each nostril twice daily. Reduce to the lowest effective dose once control has been achieved.

You should never exceed the recommended mometasone nasal spray dosage in 24 hours. If you accidentally go over the correct dose and it is a one-off, it is unlikely to be harmful. However, repeatedly exceeding your recommended dosage can result in adverse side effects and damage to your nostrils.

Mometasone ingredients

Active ingredient: Mometasone furoate 50mcg

Inactive ingredients: Dispersible cellulose, sodium citrate, glycerol, polysorbate 80, benzalkonium chloride, citric acid monohydrate, purified water

Does mometasone nasal spray have any long-term side effects?

Mometasone nasal spray is not known to cause long-term side effects. It is considered to be a safe and well-tolerated treatment.

Mometasone alternatives

Mometasone vs fluticasone?

Fluticasone, also sold under the brand name Avamys nasal spray in the UK, is another steroid treatment that is used to prevent and relieve common allergy symptoms. Like mometasone, it works by reducing the inflammation which causes hay fever and allergy symptoms.

Fluticasone’s active ingredient, fluticasone furoate, works in a similar way to mometasone furoate, the active ingredient in mometasone. Mometasone and fluticasone nasal sprays are both intranasal corticosteroids.

Mometasone vs beclomethasone

Beclometasone is another nasal spray that can prevent and relieve cold-like allergy symptoms. It is also sold under the brand name Beconase in the UK.

Like mometasone, beclomethasone is a steroid medicine that can reduce inflammation and ease congestion.

Another similarity between mometasone and beclomethasone is that, in addition to a nasal spray, they come in other forms such as anti-inflammatory creams to treat skin conditions, and inhalers to treat asthma and COPD. However, unlike mometasone, beclomethasone comes in tablets, which can be used to treat other conditions such as ulcerative colitis.

Dosage can also vary between the two medicines.