Mometasone is a steroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Mometasone nasal (for the nose) is used to prevent seasonal allergy symptoms in adults and children who are at least 12 years old.

Mometasone nasal is also used to treat nasal polyps only in adults.

Mometasone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not take by mouth. Mometasone nasal is for use only in your nose.

Your doctor may recommend you start using mometasone nasal 2 to 4 weeks before the start of allergy season.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Shake the nasal spray well just before each use. Before your first use, prime the nasal spray pump by spraying the medicine into the air until a fine mist appears. If the nasal spray has not been used for longer than 1 week, prime it by spraying the medicine into the air until a fine mist appears.

It may take up to 2 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medicine as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

To treat nasal polyps, mometasone can also be given in a small implant that is inserted into your nose. This implant is given in a medical setting. A healthcare provider will insert the implant using a special tool designed to accurately place the implant inside the nose.

The implant will slowly release mometasone into your nose over 90 days. You may also need to use saline nasal sprays or rinses to keep the implant moist. Follow all instructions about caring for your implant while it's in place.

The implant will gradually soften and it may come out while sneezing or blowing your nose. The implant can be removed at any time by your physician.

You will need frequent medical tests to make sure the medicine or the implant is not harming your nose or sinuses.

Store mometasone nasal spray in an upright position at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Throw the medicine away after you have used 120 sprays, even if there is still medicine left in the bottle.

Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:

2 sprays (50 mcg in each spray) in each nostril once a day (total daily dose of 200 mcg)

Comments:
-In patients with a known seasonal allergen that precipitates nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis, prophylaxis with this drug is recommended 2 to 4 weeks prior to the anticipated start of the pollen season.

Uses:
-Treatment of nasal symptoms of allergic and perennial rhinitis
-Treatment of nasal congestion associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis
-Prophylaxis of seasonal allergic rhinitis

Usual Adult Dose for Nasal Polyps:

2 sprays (50 mcg in each spray) in each nostril twice a day (total daily dose of 400 mcg)

Comments:
-A dose of 2 sprays (50 mcg in each spray) in each nostril once a day (total daily dose of 200 mcg) is also effective in some patients.

Use: Treatment of nasal polyps

Usual Adult Dose for Sinus Symptoms:

Implant which is gradually released over time

Comments:
-The implant separates mucosal tissues, provides stabilization of the middle turbinate, prevents obstruction by adhesions, and reduces edema.
-The implant is designed for single patient use only. Do not reprocess or reuse.

Use: To maintain patency following ethmoid sinus surgery

Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:

2 to 11 years:
1 spray (50 mcg in each spray) in each nostril once a day (total daily dose of 100 mcg)

12 years or older:
2 sprays (50 mcg in each spray) in each nostril once a day (total daily dose of 200 mcg)

Comments:
-In patients with a known seasonal allergen that precipitates nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis, prophylaxis with this drug is recommended 2 to 4 weeks prior to the anticipated start of the pollen season.

Uses:
-Treatment of nasal symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis
-Treatment of nasal congestion associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis
-Prophylaxis of seasonal allergic rhinitis in patients 12 years of age and older

You should not use mometasone nasal if you are allergic to mometasone.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• an active or chronic infection;

• glaucoma or cataracts;

• herpes simplex virus of your eyes;

• tuberculosis or any other infection or illness;

• sores or ulcers inside your nose;

• nasal surgery or injury to your nose; or

• if you are not feeling well or have symptoms that you do not understand.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Mometasone nasal spray is not approved to prevent allergy symptoms in anyone younger than 12 years and treat nasal polyps in anyone younger than 18 years. Mometasone nasal implant is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

An overdose of mometasone nasal is not expected to produce life threatening symptoms. Long term use of high doses can lead to thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

Rinse with water if mometasone nasal gets in your eyes.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medicine.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Mometasone nasal may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe bleeding or increased drainage from your nose;

• nose pain or discomfort, headache;

• white patches or sores in the nose that won't heal;

• wheezing, trouble breathing;

• vision problems;

• irritation or a choking feeling in the back of your throat (may be signs that the implant has moved inside your nose); or

• ear pain or full feeling, trouble hearing, drainage from the ear.

Steroid medicine can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using mometasone nasal.

Although the risk of serious side effects is low when mometasone is used in the nose, side effects can occur if the medicine is absorbed into your bloodstream. Tell your doctor if you have possible signs of long-term steroid use:

• weight gain (especially in your face or your upper back and torso);

• slow wound healing, thinning skin, increased body hair;

• irregular menstrual periods, changes in sexual function; or

• muscle weakness, tired feeling, depression, anxiety, or feeling irritable.

Common side effects of mometasone nasal may include:

• nosebleeds;

• headache;

• stuffy nose, sore throat, cough; or

• flu-like symptoms.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• an antibiotic;

• antifungal medicine;

• an antidepressant; or

• antiviral medicine to treat HIV/AIDS.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect mometasone nasal, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.