Mometasone (Into the nose)

Introduction:

Mometasone (moe-MET-a-sone)

Treats or prevents the symptoms of seasonal allergies (hay fever), such as runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. Also treats nasal polyps. This medicine is a corticosteroid.

Brand Name(s):

Nasonex

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Spray

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine is for use only in the nose. Do not get any of it in your eyes or on your skin. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away.
• Shake the medicine thoroughly before each use.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• This medicine works best if used at the same time every day.
• The first time you use the spray bottle you will need to prime the pump. To do this, pump the spray nozzle 10 times or until a fine mist appears. If you stop using the medicine for more than 1 week, you will need to prime the pump again with a few sprays.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Keep the bottle tightly closed when not using it. Store at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Throw away the medicine bottle after you have used 120 sprays from it, even if there is still some medicine left in it. It is best to keep track of the number of sprays used so you will know when it is time to throw the bottle away.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using or have recently used medicines that weaken your immune system, such as a steroid or cancer treatment.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
• Tell your doctor if you have asthma, tuberculosis, any type of infection (including a cold or the flu), herpes simplex in your eye, or a history of glaucoma or cataracts.
• Be very careful to avoid people who are sick, especially if they have chickenpox or measles. If you are exposed to chickenpox or measles, call your doctor right away. This is especially important if you have not had chickenpox or measles.
• You should not use this medicine if you have recently injured your nose, had surgery on your nose, or had sores in your nose.
• If you have recently switched to this medicine from another form of steroid, call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms: Changes in skin color, dark freckles, a cold feeling, weakness, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, joint or muscle pain, depression, or extreme sleepiness.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor. You should notice some improvement within the first 24 hours after you start using this medicine. The medicine becomes most effective within 1 to 2 weeks.
• If this medicine is being used by a child between the ages of 2 and 11, the doctor will need to check the child's growth on a regular basis.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Changes in vision or eye pain.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Gaining weight around your neck, upper back, breast, face, or waist.
• Heavy bleeding from your nose.
• Increased itching or pain in your nose.
• Unexplained tiredness.
• Unexplained weight gain.
• Wheezing, chest pain, or trouble breathing.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Acne.
• Burning or irritation in your nose.
• Changes in your menstrual periods.
• Crusting around the nostrils.
• Ear pain.
• Headache.
• Nausea, diarrhea, stomach upset.
• Nosebleed.
• Sneezing, cough, sore throat.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: